SAN ANTONIO -- Meals on Wheels San Antonio is seeing an increase in the number of homebound clients they serve as the coronavirus pandemic continues taking its grip on the south Texas community.

Since March 14, more than 1000 new clients signed up for the meal delivery program. The increase is up from the 3,100 the organization on average typically serves.

"My social worker signed me up and thought I would benefit from this tremendously and she was right. I signed up for it, got approved and now I enjoy," said Jesse Salazar, new client.

The deliveries to his front door make Salazar's day. Having the social interaction, even if for only a few minutes, is something he looks forward to.

"It's great to wake up and say, 'I'm gonna see a happy face today,'" Salazar said.

Those delivering food practice social distancing, wear masks and use sanitizer. It's part of the organization's procedures to keep volunteers and the clients they are interacting with safe during food drops. In Salazar's case, he is living with Stage 3 liver cancer and remains home to maintain his health.

"I'm eating a meal that if they hadn't delivered, I wouldn't be enjoying or having. I would be eating something not nutrition so it benefits me in a lot of different ways," he said.  

This is the case for many clients Cindy Trevino delivers to. The volunteer mainly makes visits twice a week to the elderly and high-risk population on her routes.

"I'm blessed to be able to do this. I think I get more out of it than I give," said Trevino.

They give clients chilled meals so they don't have to risk going out to the grocery stores. One less thing Salazar is grateful he doesn't have to worry about during the pandemic.

"It's not just about the meals, it's about the kind people who do it and it gives me a good feeling," Salazar said.