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QUINCY, ILL. -- Christmas is only a week away and on Tuesday the Meals on Wheels program in Quincy got a gift from the Quincy Fire Department.

That gift was nearly 20 firefighters delivering all of the meals to about 250 people Tuesday.

The delivery is an annual event for some members of the fire department. Taking care of all of the deliveries, 21 routes, for the Meals on Wheels program. It's a way the fire department says they can give back to the community.

"Its nice to see them when we can smile and laugh and have a good time and not just on the worst day of their life. It's good to share some good fellowship fun and just give back," QFD firefighter Chris Patterson said.

All of the meals are picked up at the Quincy Senior Center. From there, the firefighters are given their routes and they fan out across town, dropping off meals, sharing a smile and even a little bit of conversation. For the program, they say volunteers like this throughout the year help them keep a line on expenses.

"It's a great gift the firefighter today are giving back to the community and to these people Not only are they delivering the meals and giving the regular volunteers a day off. They're also doing a short visit and maybe a smile with the client and making sure they're ok," Ellen Stockhecke, who is the program coordinator for the Meals on Wheels, said.

The cost of the meal is picked up by the firefighters, so that's one present each person gets as part of the delivery. Cost is approximately six dollars. The department has been doing this Christmas time delivery for Meals on Wheels for more then 40 years and they say it's something that they want to continue for years to come.

The Meals on Wheels program runs Monday through Friday.

It's part of the Meals Plus for Seniors program that covers six counties in West Central Illinois.