SULPHUR, OK -- A project developed in southern Oklahoma will go statewide this month helping to improve the health of more than 4,000 Oklahoma seniors every month.

Through Rebekah Williams' work with the Southern Oklahoma Nutrition Program, she noticed many senior citizens aren't getting the nutrients they need.

"Most of the senior citizens would say, ' can't afford the vegetables or fruit' or 'I can't get to the grocery store,'" said Williams.

That inspired her with the idea of "drive by fruiting," bringing those fruits and veggies to seniors in need. Oklahoma State University Extension Services and the Oklahoma Home and Community Education Program saw the value in the idea and turned into a state project. Now, thousands of OHCE staff are making deliveries every month.

"If you ever deliverer an apple, tomato, potato, and orange or even just do it at your local market just to see the expression of kindness on someone's face, it's great," said Williams.

Williams encourages other people in the community to join the effort.

"We can do something for the betterment of our fellow mankind and how simple is it to pick up a tomato, potato, apple, banana, orange, and just turn around and hand it to somebody? A random act of kindness if that's what you want to call it," said Williams.

Debbie Sharp with OSU Extension Services says the fruit will do more than just improve a senior's diet. It will also sweeten their day.

"I can just see an elderly citizen receiving that gift and that interaction with whoever brings it because a lot of seniors don't get to visit with people and don't get to get out . You know they don't interact with other folks, and they really need that. That's part of being healthy," said Sharp.

The project will benefit 77 counties and is expected to impact 10,000-15,000 seniors by the end of the year.