BATON ROUGE, La. (WVLA/WGMB) — The East Baton Rouge Council on Aging (EBRCOA) is teaming up with Meal on Wheels to deliver food boxes to senior citizens during the coronavirus pandemic.

Starting March 19, the drive thru meal service provided at senior citizens was discontinued in an abundance of caution. In a statement from the agency, the change is “to ensure the health and safety of senior participants and our staff.”

Volunteers and staff from Meals on Wheels and EBR Council on Aging deliver meals to senior citizens during the coronavirus pandemic on March 19, 2020. (Courtesy: EBRCOA/Facebook)

EBRCOA staff and volunteers plan to distribute 45,290 meals across the parish. Meals on Wheels senior participants make up 1,970 households while another 1,265 people are members of area senior centers.

The Centers for Disease Control said seniors are a high-risk segment of the community and should take extra precautions when following the social distancing guidelines.

Senior citizens who are in need of food delivery may call the Council on Aging at (225) 923-8000. Meal delivery will continue through at least