headquarters allowing it to expand and keep pace with demand.

Established in 1975, the charity first distributed meals from the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and for the last 18 years from St. Paul's Church, in Paget.

However, it has outgrown its present base and is now to build a new headquarters on land opposite the Modern Mart grocery store, on South Shore Road, centralising its operations and providing state-of-the-art kitchen equipment.

The appeal has already been given a kick-start by the Bank of Bermuda Centennial Trust which has pledged $200,000 and it is hoped the balance will be raised by September with the new building opening next summer.

In launching the appeal yesterday, Mr. Donald Lines, president of Millpoint Ltd., and Chairman of the Building Fund Raising Campaign, appealed to both the public and major Island establishments to support the fund raising effort.

"We require help,'' he added. "We have never appealed to the public before.

There are very few families who have not at some point been touched by Meals on Wheels, they have done an incredible job.

"We are a group that believe this is a worthy cause that needs help and I think the people of Bermuda will respond to that cause.'' Meals on Wheels, a registered charity, was established by Mrs. Dorothy Evans after she witnessed a similar scheme in North America. At first it provided just 15 meals, three times a week.

It now provides about 120 meals, mainly for the elderly, three times a week and it is hoped the new building will increase that number to up to 250 meals three times a week and in the future possibly five times a week. The number of volunteers, currently standing at 100, will also grow.

Although a small building, the new HQ will be a specialised centre with expensive kitchen equipment, food storage areas and distribution points, hence the size of the appeal.

It is hoped if the appeal target is exceeded, the extra cash can be invested to cover the cost of maintenance keeping meal prices at $3.

Mr. Lines said the current base only had a small area in which to work and demand was growing, primarily because the Island's people were living longer.

"There is no question that we need to raise the money and provide this new building and I have no doubt that we can raise the funds from the community.'' Yesterday, Mrs. Evans said: "This service helps people live with dignity in their own homes and in some cases the volunteers delivering the meals are the only outside contact for these people.

"For 20 years we have been supported by volunteers and have received financial support from many individuals and groups. Now an exciting future lies ahead.'' For people wishing to make a donation towards the appeal there is a special hot line number 296-2911. Donations can also be sent to P.O. Box PG 02, Paget PG BX.

NEW HEADQUARTERS -- An artist's impression of the new Meals on Wheel headquarters which the charity wants to build at a cost of $1 million.