High Gas Prices Hit South Bay Food Banks Hard
SAN JOSE (KCBS) --- Rising gas prices are worrying charities, particularly those that feed people.
With gas hitting $4.50 a gallon, it's a huge additional expense for Bay Area food banks, said Tami Cardenas with the Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
"Gas prices directly relate to the Food Bank's core business because we have a fleet of 28 trucks that acquire and distribute food to the hungry all year long,"she said. "We have seen a 29 percent increase in the cost of diesel since December."
Cardinas said high gas prices have impacted their ability to acquire fruits and vegetables.
"We have to raise an additional $5,000 to feed hungry families produce between now and June 30th," she said.
Mary Vollinger with Meals on Wheels in Santa Clara said gas prices are also having an impact on their program, and it's harder to attract volunteers to deliver food.
"We rely heavily on volunteers and many of our volunteers are retired and maybe on fixed incomes," she said.
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