$2-a-gallon gasoline takes its toll on Meals On Wheels

[CShine]

Vinsen Faris has watched many volunteers come and go during his 16 years with Meals On Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties in Texas. But even he was surprised last week when eight volunteers left for the same reason: the high cost of filling their tanks to deliver meals to homebound seniors.

"Until now we've never had people call up and specifically say, 'I'm having to drop out because of the price of gas,' " says Mr. Faris, executive director. "I think it's sticker shock. They fill up and say, 'Wow, I just paid $2 a gallon.' "

Across the country, other Meals On Wheels sites are reporting similar experiences. Although the number of departing volunteers is small and scattered, the losses illustrate one way higher fuel prices are affecting social-service organizations and those who help them.

Nationwide, Meals On Wheels and other programs provide meals to approximately 1 million homebound older people every day. In many cases, the meal is the only nutritious food the recipient will get that day. Some programs serve 30 to 40 meals daily, while others feed 3,000. Some are small and rural and rely on volunteers. Others serve urban and suburban areas and pay drivers modest wages. The vast majority use volunteer drivers.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0603/p12s02-lihc.html

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Screw the old the poor and the infirm..they are the "lucky duckies"

Ceo's actually have to get out of bed if they want foie gras..now THAT's injustice! *sarcasm on*
So much for compassionate conniverism

[oblivious]

2. "God will punish anyone who raises oil prices."

- Lebanese taxi driver on the BBC this morning.