Local

Pain at the Pump: How high gas prices are impacting local non-profits

MIAMI VALLEY — Higher prices for everything recently have Miami Valley families adjusting their budgets.

The same is true for our local non-profits, such as the Dayton Foodbank.

The average price of gas in the Dayton-area is $4.29, and according to AAA, which is up 23 cents from this time last week.

>> Gas prices hit record high in Ohio, AAA says

News Center 7′s John Bedell looked into how the higher prices are affecting local non-profits that work to help those in need in our community.

At the Dayton Foodbank, inflation means the demand for help is up.

“It’s been a pretty warm May, so we’re thinking about the increase in cooling prices, the increase with children at home, of course the increase in food and gas and all these things that really impact a family’s budge at the end of the day,” said Lee Lauren Truesdale, The Foodbank Chief Development Officer.

The Foodbank helps feed thousands of hungry families across Preble, Montgomery and Greene counties.

To help do that, they collect donations from local grocery stores.

>> Gas Prices: Could switching the blend of gas you get hurt your car?

To help ease the cost of higher gas prices, the Foodbank uses what they call “truck route mapping.” In other words, they strategically place daily routes for drivers who pickup retail donations at local grocery stores.

“So for example, a truck’s not going to to go Englewood in the morning and then turn around and go to Miamisburg in the afternoon. The Englewood truck is going to hit Englewood, Vandalia, it’s going to hit that area of the county in a concentrated location,” Truesdale said.

On Monday, News Center 7′s John Bedell called multiple organizations that use volunteer drivers to deliver meals to see if higher gas prices mean a harder time finding drivers. We are still waiting to hear back.

At the Dayton Foodbank, they say their route mapping strategy helps them stretch their dollar and to be good stewards of generous donations.

“Helps us save money both in staffing, time, and also in gas,” Truesdale said.

To find the lowest gas prices near you, you can click here.











0
Comments on this article