Dec. 18 was a special day for PitCare Meals on Wheels recipients.

In addition to the standard hot meal and bagged lunch, everyone received a cozy blanket, courtesy of St. Regis Parish in Trafford, and a “blizzard bag,” which was donated by the Monroeville Rotary.

As the name suggests, the blizzard bags were filled with shelf-stable food that can come in handy during inclement weather.

PitCare Meals on Wheels, based in Pitcairn, covers Pitcairn, Wall, Wilmerding, Trafford and most of Level Green and Monroeville. According to program coordinator Dan Casey, it has 50 to 56 deliveries a day. The nonprofit makes two or three trips per week to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for groceries.

Many clients enjoy the food they receive and have been participating in the program for quite some time.

The positive feedback can be attributed to Casey, who has worked in the food industry since graduating from high school. Casey was a chef at several local caterers and restaurants before starting at Meals on Wheels in 2017.

Paul Estok, director of recreation and parks for Monroeville who also is Casey’s cousin, had the honor of making the special deliveries Dec. 18.

“I have no problem giving back. I love getting out and talking to people,” Estok said, adding his boss — municipal Manager Alex Graziani — encourages employees to participate in community service activities.

Estok stressed the importance of spending time with the clients.

“In addition to delivering food, it’s a chance to check on people,” Estok said.

Betty McClelland of Monroeville has been receiving meals five days a week for about a year.

“My husband can’t cook anymore,” Betty said of her spouse, Bill.

“I’m not a fussy eater, and I enjoy mostly everything,” she said. “If there’s something I don’t like, I give it to Bill.”

Joe Brennan likes that he gets a salad and fresh fruit with every hot meal, and he especially enjoys the chicken marsala and fresh blueberries and strawberries.

Brennan has been receiving Meals on Wheels five days a week since moving to the East Boros Apartments eight years ago.

He has a large collection of teddy bear figurines. “Teddy bears make me happy,” he said.

Jim Sutherland, 93, still drives locally but opts to get meals delivered; he’s been receiving meals for the past five years.

Sutherland has three adult children. His wife, Ruth, passed away four years ago. They were married for 68 years. The Missouri natives settled in the Pittsburgh area after Jim’s four-year stint in the Air Force.

Sutherland, an engineer for Westinghouse Electric, designed the arithmetic logic unit for the company’s 1959 computer, PRODAC IV. Sutherland later created his own home computer, ECHO IV, using surplus board, hardware and memory. In 1984, ECHO IV was donated to Boston’s Computer Museum. Sutherland has 25 U.S. patents; 17 of which are still in use today.

Everyone was appreciative of the meals and special gifts they received.

“I’m really blessed,” Estok said. “I’m blessed that I can give back in this way.”

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