Rising food, gas costs have Prince County Meals on Wheels chapters feeling the pressure
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — As the price of meals and fuel continues to extend in P.E.I., Rosaleen Mahoney, a board member with Meals on Wheels Summerside, is hoping that it’s going to not have a adverse impression on this system.
“It’s at all times there at the back of our minds,” mentioned Mahoney. “I don’t assume that it’s on the entrance of our minds proper now. I’m saying that, however who is aware of?”
Mahoney started volunteering for Meals on Wheels years in the past as a driver, then as a co-ordinator for 10 years, earlier than transferring to the board.
In her time as a volunteer, Mahoney has solely seen growing fuel and meals costs have an effect on the price of the meals as soon as.
Round 15 years in the past, she mentioned, the price of meals elevated from $3 to $4 per meal.
She doesn’t recall many complaints, then, and doubts it might be any completely different if costs have been to go up once more.
“All people is aware of that every little thing’s going up,” mentioned Mahoney. “However there are some those that we ship meals to that we all know it’s powerful, attempting to make ends meet.”
In line with Canada’s Food Price Report in 2020, P.E.I. noticed the very best fee of meals inflation in Canada.
As of talking to SaltWire Community in late March, Mahoney mentioned rising prices had not but had an impression on Meals on Wheels Summerside.
She is hopeful it might stay that manner since working this system out of native manors means the realm’s program is sponsored by the federal government.
Nonetheless, although, she is aware of it’s a risk.
“We’re at all times frightened that with the rise within the meals prices, that they’ll increase it,” mentioned Mahoney. “However I don’t assume they’ll. They’re developing with a program, now, to assist feed seniors, so I don’t assume we’re going to see the federal government growing our meals prices proper now.”
Though Mahoney shouldn’t be at the moment involved about growing meal prices, she is frightened that the rising fuel costs would possibly deter individuals from volunteering as drivers.
“I’m simply questioning, if we attain out and say we’d like extra drivers, individuals are going to say ‘eh, don’t assume so. The price of fuel is so excessive.” – Rosaleen Mahoney
In mid-Could 2021, common unleaded gasoline price between 130.4 and 131.6 cents per litre, whereas diesel price between 127.3 to 128.5 cents per litre.
As of Could 13, 2022, common gasoline had jumped as much as between 202.7 and 203.9 cents per litre and diesel had elevated to between 259.7 to 260.8 cents per litre.
Routes are stored quick as a lot as doable, however nonetheless, drivers are chargeable for their very own fuel cash.
On the time she spoke with SaltWire Community, Mahoney had not heard considerations from any present drivers however, as Meals on Wheels Summerside is actively searching for volunteer drivers, she wonders if they could wrestle to fill these gaps.
“I’m simply questioning, if we attain out and say we’d like extra drivers, individuals are going to say ‘eh, don’t assume so,’” mentioned Mahoney. “The price of fuel is so excessive.”
Not simply Summerside
Summerside shouldn’t be the one Meals on Wheels chapter in Prince County with volunteers frightened over rising prices; Brenda Peters, co-ordinator for Meals on Wheels Kensington, mentioned she and different volunteers have comparable considerations.
The price of meals for this system has gone up earlier than. As soon as, she remembers, this system paid $10 for each meal; immediately, it’s $22 per meal. With help from the provincial authorities, although, purchasers solely pay half the price of the meal.
“I’m searching for volunteers for {the summertime}, part-time volunteers, and I had a tough time attempting to get what I’ve received.” – Brenda Peters
That assist runs out on the finish of Could, however the chapter is engaged on getting the help continued.
“We’d somewhat (the associated fee to purchasers) not go up,” mentioned Peters.
Like Mahoney, Peters can also be involved that rising fuel prices will make it more durable to seek out drivers this summer time.
“I’m searching for volunteers for {the summertime}, part-time volunteers,” mentioned Peters, “and I had a tough time attempting to get what I’ve received.”
Peters was capable of finding sufficient full-time volunteers, however even that, she mentioned, proved to be a problem.
The chapter had one driver who wanted to take a break from volunteering, when, beforehand, he’d pushed year-round. The motive force by no means gave a purpose for his break, however Peters thinks fuel costs might need been one of many elements. That’s why she instructed all her winter drivers that they might take a break and have the summer time off volunteering.
As properly, the chapter can also be giving its winter drivers a present card for fuel to assist ease the burden.
“I didn’t assume it was honest for them to be paying,” mentioned Peters.
Total, Peters and her fellow volunteers are hoping that the federal government will proceed to offer assist for the chapter in order that they now not have to fret about having to extend costs.
“It’s a good program. It’s there for seniors that do want the assistance,” she mentioned. “If we’re capable of preserve it that if seniors want the assistance, we’re there for them, that’s the principle objective.”
Kristin Gardiner is a rural reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island.
