News Room
Price of Gasoline Hits Meals on Wheels Program
Thursday March 13, 2008
Saco, Maine—The price of gasoline is squeezing the wallets of Meals on Wheels volunteers. “We’re hearing that the price of gas combined with frost heaves and potholes is taking a toll on the pocketbooks and the cars of our volunteers,” says Laurence Gross, Executive Director of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging.“ Volunteers are stepping down and new volunteers haven’t been coming on board at the rate we saw before the recent escalation in fuel prices,” according to Gross.
While a number of volunteers waive mileage reimbursement, others need the .42 cents per mile offered to help with the cost of running their vehicles. The Agency on Aging’s budget for mileage reimbursement for the year is $106,000 to cover 375,000 volunteer-driven miles.“ As the price of gas keeps climbing,” says Gross, “we need to prepare for increased mileage reimbursements to keep our pool of volunteers from shrinking even further.” Gross noted that federal funding has remained flat for the last three years, despite increasing demand for home-delivered meals.
Southern Maine Agency on Aging volunteers deliver 800 meals a day throughout Cumberland and York counties. The number of recipients has grown 41% in the past three years, and the need for Meals on Wheels is projected to increase steadily as more people live to a greater age.
To volunteer, to make a much needed donation or to see if you or someone you know qualifies for Meals on Wheels, call statewide, toll free 1-877-ELDERS1 (1-877-353-3771).
