MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP): A northwestern Indiana program that provides food to residents who can't get out has delivered its 6 millionth meal.

Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana made the milestone delivery to Merrillville resident Gloria Olesen on Thursday. The meal arrived with flowers and a balloon to mark its significance.

Olesen says she has difficulty preparing meals and has relied on the program for about five years.

Margot Clark founded the organization in 1977. She says it now provides more than 1,500 meals a day and could provide more if resources were available.

Clark says recipients don't have to be low-income residents. Many clients use the organization because they don't have relatives nearby who can help them.