KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- As Winter takes hold of East Tennessee, Knox County's Meals on Wheels program officials said they desperately need more volunteers and drivers.

On Thursday, the program said they had a hard time getting routes completed because of a lack of drivers.

Manager Judith Pelot said it's vitally important that people step up this time of year in cold winter months for senior citizens.

"It's really important," Pelot told Local 8 News reporter David Ball. "We get a lot of calls from our volunteers worried about a house being too cold or the heat not working well or someone not doing well with the cold weather. We are calling emergency contacts and case managers just to make sure everything is good."