Meals on Wheels recipients in Lyle are seeing younger faces greet them at the door on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

For three weeks, Lyle Meals on Wheels volunteers have been picking up Lyle High School students to help on their deliveries. The routes coincide with the students' lunch period so they do not miss class.

Blanche Hollerud, who helps coordinate Meals on Wheels, and Principal Royce Helmbrecht arranged the project, which provides a way for Lyle senior citizens and students to spend time together. It also introduces a younger generation to the Meals on Wheels program.

Lyle High School senior Alex Halbach said he realizes the importance of participating in the project while still a teenager.

"We're going to need the program when we're older too," he said. "It gets people interested, gets them to help out."

Lois Kaput, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for five years, picked Halbach up in her red Chevy Lumina Wednesday and delivered 13 meals to residents in Lyle. It was Halbach's second day making the rounds and Kaput's first day delivering meals with a student.

"The kids are enthusiastic," Kaput said. "Most kids are willing to help old people."

During the roughly hour-long trip, Kaput and Halbach doubled-checked their list and made small talk about the weather and Tuesday's County Government Day in Austin.

Halbach said he likes helping the senior volunteers and admits it's nice to enjoy pleasant weather during the school day.

"A lot of the seniors doing it, they're older themselves and need help getting around," Halbach said.

Kaput and Halbach worked out a system during the trip. Halbach checked the names and Kaput gave him the appropriate meals. Halbach brought them to the residents.

"Are the people surprised to see you when you come to the door?" Kaput asked when he retuned to the car.

"They were yesterday," Halbach replied.

Seeing younger faces on the routes will be commonplace until the beginning of next school year in Lyle. Helmbrecht has lined up students volunteers into the summer, but is looking for more near the end. So far about 12 students, most of them National Honor Society members, have singed up.

"I've had just nothing but positive feedback from the kids," Helmbrecht said.

First grade students also are getting to know the senior volunteers in Lyle. Once a week, a member of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program reads to the classes.

For Halbach, he now realizes how hard it would be not to be able to leave your house.

"That's something I take for granted -- if I'm hungry to go out and get something to eat," Halbach said.

At the end of their route Wednesday, Halbach and Kaput agreed the trip went well.

"And I'm only a little bit late for History," Halbach said.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com