91原创 Meals On Wheels drivers gave out more than food this week, handing out bright new tulips thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

The flowers went out with meals on Wednesday as volunteers and local firefighters took meals to those who cannot leave their homes.

鈥淭he phone was just lit up all afternoon, all those seniors calling to tell us how much those flowers meant,鈥� said Shannon Woykin, executive director of 91原创 Meals on Wheels.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 understand the impact it would have,鈥� she said.

An anonymous community member gave Meals on Wheels 200 tulips this week.

鈥淎ll assorted colours,鈥� Woykin said of the colourful blooms.

Meals On Wheels clients are mostly seniors who are permanently or temporarily confined to their homes.

With the coronavirus threat, they have seen a big increase in the number of local clients.

91原创 Meals on Wheels handed out 190 meals Wednesday. Normally they run eight delivery routes all over 91原创, but as of this week the charity is running 11 to 12 routes.

In addition, the charity has seen many of its volunteers, who are also seniors, having to stay home because they鈥檙e vulnerable to the coronavirus.

But just as the tulips brightened the days of the groups鈥� clients, Woykin said she鈥檚 been really heartened by the way the community has stepped up.

91原创 Township and City firefighters have volunteered to take over delivery routes across the community. Telus employees have also been helping out.

Meanwhile, donations of food are up from grocery stores like Safeway and Save-On-Foods, and Cora鈥檚 restaurant donated loaves that went out this week, a little extra that was included in the package.

鈥淚t鈥檚 these little things that are making such a difference in people鈥檚 spirits,鈥� Woykin said.