Meals on Wheels Diablo Region, which provides food to about 2,000 seniors each week, is seeing the effects as both staff and volunteers face higher fuel expenses.
Matt Daly, a driver with the program, regularly delivers meals to seniors like Jerome McShane, who is homebound with a broken back and relies on social security.
"I get about $2,000 a month. Total. I would just have to scrimp, if that's a good word," McShane said with a laugh.
The program depends heavily on volunteers, who make up about 80% of drivers. They use their own vehicles and pay for their own gas. On Wednesday, more than 15 volunteer drivers prepared to deliver meals to about 200 people.
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Volunteer Andy Lee said he plans to keep helping despite the rising costs.
"It kind of brings to mind how difficult all our clients have it. The cost -- they would outspend if we didn't help them out with these meals," Lee said.
However, officials said Lee may be an exception. Meals on Wheels typically sees a decline in volunteer participation during the summer months, and higher gas prices could make that drop more pronounced.
Skylar Schaefer with Meals on Wheels Diablo Region said operating costs have already increased significantly.
"Just a few weeks ago, it cost $90 to fill one of our delivery vans. Now, we are seeing $120 or more. So, it's just impacting what we are already able to do with our limited funding," Schaefer said.
Schaefer said about 500 seniors are currently on a waitlist in Contra Costa County. The organization was forced to cut breakfast deliveries in February due to federal funding cuts. Now, rising gas prices are forcing leaders to consider further changes, including cutting delivery routes or reducing the amount of food provided.
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"A lot of people are going hungry. We say seniors are the 'hidden hungry.' You don't see them. They are stuck at home. They are not out and about in the community. So, people tend to forget about them. But they rely on us for most of their nutrition," Schaefer said.
Officials said they are working with county, state and federal partners to secure more funding, while also encouraging local donations to help sustain services for seniors who rely on the program.