PORT CHARLOTTE — Some days, Jeff King turns 40 pounds of chicken breast into a hot meal for more than 110 people.
King is the king of the kitchen at Meals on Wheels in Port Charlotte, cooking from scratch every week.
He uses community donations including soups, fresh and canned vegetables, meat of all types, chicken, farm-fresh eggs and other items to turn them into ready-to-eat meals.
After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Meals on Wheels received 240 jars of sauce from a Port Charlotte church group who also gave 1 million noodles to assure seniors would have several meals until the end of the year.
He also received donations from the Charm City Food Truck in Englewood.
“The owners are amazing people,” he said. “There are groups, churches and individuals who are regular supporters of Meals on Wheels. We don’t always know what we are going to get, but we always appreciate the donations.”
He also creates special meals for diabetics.
“I love being creative,” King said. “I give them extra veggies.”