Every Wednesday and Thursday morning, Clay Gresham loads up, packs his coolers and hits the road.

About a dozen people across Sanford are waiting for him, so they can have something to eat.

“I’ve got my dinner for at night and my sandwich for lunch,” said Maisy Wood, a Meals on Wheels recipient.

Recently retired, Gresham says he wanted to spend his free time helping others.

“I feel like I’m doing something to help somebody out,” Gresham said. “Some of these people, I don’t know what they’d do without what we do.”

The help is not lost on people like Willie Gibson.

“I’m so glad they have this. Just think if they didn’t have this here, how many people wouldn’t have something to eat,” said Gibson, a Meals on Wheels recipient.

But the people along Gresham’s volunteer route also look forward to more than just food.

“Miss Geraldine has family that comes by and checks on her sometimes, but some people don’t, and I’m their only contact with someone,” Gresham said.

For others who face medical problems, Gresham makes sure they’re doing OK by checking on them when he delivers their meals.

There are several hundred people like Gresham who volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Seminole County. But unfortunately, about 250 people who have requested assistance remain on a waiting list.

It all comes down to money. The nonprofit hopes that with more donations — and more people like Gresham — it can feed more people.

“I hope more people become aware of it and chip in,” Gresham said.

For now, Gresham says he’ll keep serving as many people as he can with a warm meal and friendly visit.

“I love the people. They’re my customers,” Gresham said.

If you’d like to help Meals on Wheels in Seminole County, it’s having its annual Mardi Gras Street Party and Sashay fundraiser in downtown Sanford from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.