At 93 years young, Ray isn’t slowing down. With a booming voice, a sharp sense of humor, and a heart full of kindness, he’s been delivering meals and smiles as a Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels volunteer since 2005.

“I figured, well, what the heck, I was kinda young back then,” Ray chuckles. “Now? I’m gonna be 94! But I keep at it because I enjoy it. I like talking to people, and I know I’m helping.”

Ray’s journey with Meals on Wheels started after he lost his wife in 2003 and eventually found himself eating lunch at the local senior center. One day, the cook mentioned they needed a driver. Ray figured he had the time, so he signed up. What started as a simple commitment turned into a nearly two-decade passion.

“I’ve always been a worker. I grew up in a big family, and we all had to pitch in,” Ray explains. “So when I started delivering meals, it felt natural. And it feels good to do something for someone else.”

Ray’s weekly routine now includes delivering meals to seniors who rely on the service—not just for food but for companionship. “Some of them, they don’t get many visitors. So when I stop by, I take a few minutes to chat,” Ray says. “One lady, she always wants to talk, so I make sure to visit for a bit.”

Through the years, Ray has seen firsthand how important Meals on Wheels is, especially during tough times like the pandemic. “That was rough,” he recalls. “We couldn’t do hot meals, just frozen ones, and we had to drop them off quick. But we made sure people still got fed.”

Ray isn’t just a meal delivery driver; he’s a friend, a helper, and, on occasion, a dog-watcher. “One lady has this little dog that runs around while I’m there. Sometimes, I even clean up after him,” he laughs. “But it’s all part of the job.”

What keeps Ray coming back, year after year? “Because it’s good work,” he says. “It’s an hour of my day, but it means a lot to the people I visit. And at the end of my route, I get a meal too, so it works out.”

Ray is living proof that giving back has no age limit. And his advice to anyone thinking about volunteering? “Try it. You’ll like it. If you don’t, you know you gave back for an hour. But I think you’ll feel good about it.”

Meals on Wheels is always looking for more people like Ray—kindhearted volunteers who want to make a difference. If you have an hour to spare and want to bring a little joy (and a hot meal) to someone’s day, join our team.