The Red Cross knows all about hard times. It's helped many people through them.

Now, the agency says it's facing its own tough road. The Red Cross' Good Neighbor Nutrition Program is faced with a 7% budget cut, adding up to about $100,000.

The program offers free, healthy meals to senior citizens at 29 locations in and around Wichita. By the end of November, two will shut their doors while four others are consolidated into neighboring dining centers.

The Red Cross, which serves about 1,000 meals a day through the program, says clients will be able to receive services at other nearby dining centers. Only about 3% of clients are expected to be effected by the changes, officials said.

Eight part-time employees were also let go as part of the consolidation process.

The meal sites to be consolidate are:

* Country Acres [343 Country Acres] to Maple Gardens Dining Center [10200 W. Maple]

* Shady Way [1421 N. Spruce] to Northeast Dining Center [2121 E. 21st]

* Sheridan Village [1051 S. Bluffview] to Linwood Sr. Center [1901 S. Kansas]

* West Park [3618 W. 13th] to Orchard Park Sr. Center [4808 W. 9th]

The Red Cross will also close two congregate meal sites. Volunteers will be needed to help seniors who depend on the Good Neighbor Nutrition Program in these areas. The sites include:

* Andover Dining Center [410 Lioba]

* Valley Center Dining Center [316 E. Clay]

Those who would like to volunteer for the Red Cross and the Good Neighbor Nutrition Program can call 219-4090.