PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Gasoline costs proceed to climb; the nationwide common is as much as $4.31.
It’s $4.24 on common in Virginia.
It’s a bit greater in most of Hampton Roads. Gasoline right here has reached $4.39 in some locations.
Lots of people are feeling the ache on the pump — that features providers like Meals on Wheels, which depends upon volunteer drivers to ship meals to their prospects.
With gasoline costs going nowhere however up proper now, shoppers are bracing for the supply price of products and providers to be handed on to them.
However simply who bears that brunt in case you’re volunteering?
“My first thought was these persons are already so giving of their time, and now we’re asking them to offer a bit bit extra out of their pockets as effectively since they pay for the gasoline that they used to make these meal deliveries to our homebound older adults,” stated Jillian Lewis.
Lewis is the volunteer coordinator for Senior Companies of Southeastern Virginia. Final 12 months, that group and their Meals on Wheels volunteers served over 300,000 meals to these depend upon that lifeline.
“Our older adults are oftentimes on a hard and fast earnings, they usually depend upon us for these meals. Along with these meals that they’re getting it for a few of these individuals we’re their solely socialization as effectively,” Lewis stated.
And that many meals means these wheels are driving numerous miles.
“We serve all of the Southside after which in addition to Isle of Wight in Southampton counties and the Metropolis of Franklin. So, a few of our meals supply drivers [do] have fairly a hike once they’re delivering extra of these rural areas,” Lewis stated.
Fortuitously, proper now, the dimensions of the volunteers’ hearts are outweighing the dimensions of their wallets — all realizing the significance of this service and easily, that the present should go on.
“COVID didn’t cease us and this isn’t going to cease us both. We’re working with our devoted volunteers, who as of proper now are nonetheless very a lot dedicated to serving to ensure that everyone has the assets that they want. And we’re working to offer each doable service that we will to become old adults in our space who depend on us closely for meals for socialization and transportation when mandatory,” Lewis stated.
If you happen to’re interested by volunteering with Meals on Wheels, click on right here.