With concentration, Jon Baird counts out two milks, two salads, two bags of chips and two hot meals to deliver as a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

With the help of Laura Fox, an Alpine Transition and Employment Center staff member, Baird brings lunch to an elderly couple in Pleasant Grove. After knocking on the door, Baird calls out "Meals on Wheels" and unpacks the meal onto the kitchen table.

Baird is one of a group of individuals with intellectual disabilities from the ATEC in Lindon who work as volunteers, delivering lunches once a week to home-bound seniors in Pleasant Grove. With the assistance of a trained ATEC staff member, Baird and other disabled adults are able to give service in their community.

More often, a disabled person is the recipient of assistance, rather than the one assisting others.

"It is important for individuals with developmental disabilities to have the opportunity to be on the giving end of the equation, to feel the good that comes from helping others, and to overcome social isolation by supporting others," said Ron Story, ATEC director.

Debbie Stewart loves to deliver the meals, and she carries them carefully and with a big smile. Her cheerful call of "Meals on Wheels" brings Darline Carter to the door. Carter, who is helping her mother, Earlin Walker Maxfield, with a bit of housecleaning, is grateful for this service.

"I appreciate them coming during the week," she said. She said she is thankful for the nutritious food as well as her mother's contact with others, and the reassurance that she's doing OK.

Stewart enjoys the contact, too.

"I like everything. I like visiting and I did it," she said after making her Meals on Wheels delivery.

Tuesday was Noland Ferguson's first time making a Meals on Wheels delivery.

"I like getting around. I like going to people's houses. I like bringing food over," he said.

Fox, with ATEC, drives and assists with the deliveries. She thoroughly enjoys taking her special-needs clients on their volunteer route. She has seen a lot of joy and growth in the volunteers -- especially as they are able to grow from being a recipient to a giver.

"It's really amazing what service can do," she said. "We're always serving them, and now they get to serve others. The happiness just spreads."

Story is enthusiastic over the benefits that this service brings to so many people. "Meaningful volunteer experiences help our clients feel a greater sense of belonging by contributing to the community in which they live," he said. "Typically, the way anyone becomes friends is to see the same people in the same place over time with some activity shared in common. Our clients are able to naturally get to know local seniors by delivering meals as a weekly activity."

As Bob Kinross received the meals for himself and his wife, he expressed his appreciation for the meal and for the brief visit.

"We really enjoy these meals," he said.

Baird, who carried the lunches to the Kinrosses, said he prefers being a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

"I like food. I like meeting new people," he said.

"Our ATEC volunteers are happy, kind individuals who help aging adults receive a noontime meal, a smile and a health check," said Erin Dyreng, nutrition program manager at Mountainland Association of Governments Aging and Family Services department. "It is a win-win situation. Our seniors need happy faces and the ATEC clients need appreciation."

Volunteering enhances the quality of life for everyone, both the recipient and the volunteer. "ATEC volunteers learn the responsibility of carefully giving a senior his meal, along with building social skills. Meals on Wheels receives nothing but compliments and smiles when ATEC volunteers deliver meals," Dyreng said.