RALEIGH, N.C. — No matter the weather, Meals on Wheels serves lunch to 1,400 homebound older adults and people with disabilities in Wake County every week.

The organization has about 60 member agencies across North Carolina. In February, Meals on Wheels of Wake County will mark 50 years since its founding.

The organization is able to help those in their community thanks to over 2,000 people who donate their time to make it happen.

“He’s been doing it for three years, so they all know him,” said volunteer Michael Altman, referring to his dog, Bo-Bo. “And if I don’t bring him, then they start asking.”

Altman, who is also a board member with Meals on Wheels in Wake County, and Bo-Bo are among the 2,200 volunteers who help deliver food for organization.

“It’s just not right that some people just do not have access to food. And I want to be part of the solution,” Altman said.

The food is packed and distributed out of sites like the one on Blair Drive in Raleigh, where Ray Coleman is the site manager.

“I know today we’re serving 360 meals to people all around the Raleigh area. Usually it’s been staying about like 350. It’s been going up. So we’re getting more people,” Coleman said.

Rain or shine, brutally hot or bone-chilling cold, Coleman says volunteers hand deliver meals every weekday.

“A lot of times it might be like the only meal a lot of clients get or like the only person they might see for that day. So we also kind of provide like a wellness check,” Coleman said.

Out in the community, Altman says he’s formed relationships with the people he delivers to. Whether it’s a brief interaction or a 30-minute-long conversation, he said there’s a feeling of gratitude on both sides.

“Grateful for the fresh food, grateful for the visit, grateful for the conversation. But I would say that as grateful as they feel, it’s not as grateful as I feel for the opportunity to serve them,” Altman said. “Part of what people are subscribing to here when they subscribe to the service is compassion, and just a little bit of conversation, and a little companionship all at the same time. And it’s rewarding, not just for them. I find it very rewarding myself.”

All across the state, Meals on Wheels is accepting applications for services and volunteers to help deliver food. To receive free meals, the recipient must meet certain criteria, including being at least 60 years old.

To apply for yourself or someone else as well as how to volunteer, visit the Meals on Wheels North Carolina website.