Soaring Prices Hit Meal Programs

Volunteer Dave Butz makes a delivery for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland in Baltimore. Photo by D. Hurst/Alamy

Margie Gessinger, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, delivers meals once a week to older people, the homebound and others in need. She’s seen a change recently. 

“I have an SUV, and [the price of gas] is eating my paycheck. I know volunteers are canceling because I’ve had to come in to cover for other people,” says Gessinger, who lives in Baltimore. 

As gas prices rise and volunteers pull back, many monetary donors are also cutting back on contributions. 

In June the Meals on Wheels Association of America reported a 30 percent reduction in the frequency of delivered meals among 277 of its programs. Some programs that once delivered hot meals daily now save gas by making weekly deliveries of one hot meal and four frozen meals. Many program organizers also lament the decreased contact with homebound people. 

At LifeCare Alliance in Columbus, Ohio, the meal program has kept up daily deliveries, but it’s struggling with the cost of raw food and a new fuel surcharge from vendors. 

“What we’re finding is a crisis situation,” says Enid Borden, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels. “It’s a life-and-death issue.”