Volunteers pack lunch boxes for Meals on Wheels fundraiser

Bread, meat and cheese are the perfect combination for a tasty sandwich. But instead of getting it from your favorite restaurant this week, volunteers with Meals on Wheels are vying for your lunch money.

The second annual Meals on Wheels Lunchbox fundraiser is under way. Volunteers gather each day to package up lunchboxes and deliver them across Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha.

The lunchbox comes complete with a gourmet sandwich, cookie, chips and apples.

It costs $10. Half of that money goes directly back into the Meals on Wheels Program, which provides warm meals to seniors and people with disabilities.

The daily meals means more to clients than many realize.

"It's a really important safety check. For some of our clients, we're the only person they'll see the entire week, so to see them every day, make sure they're in good health and make sure they're still able to take care of themselves,” said Meals on Wheels' Lisa Lafler.

The lunchbox fundraiser runs until Feb. 17.

Last year, volunteers sold 2,200 lunchboxes. As of Tuesday, the group had already surpassed that number.