The Frederick County Department of Aging is concerned that high gas prices will force volunteers to quit delivering free meals to homebound senior citizens and the disabled.
To prepare, the department issued a press release Friday asking for additional volunteers to deliver meals in Middletown, Jefferson, Thurmont, Brunswick and the City of Frederick.
‘‘We’re trying to increase the number of volunteers to help share the burden a little bit among people,” said Kitty L. Devilbiss, the department’s community services coordinator.
Volunteers use their own cars and pay for their own gas to deliver meals (mileage is tax deductable at a rate of 14 cents per mile).
Meals on Wheels programs across the country have seen volunteers lists dwindling as gas prices rise. This has left many homebound seniors without a free warm meal each week. In Frederick County the program is holding its own. ‘‘Right now we seem to be pretty stable, but several volunteers have commented on the gas,” Devilbiss said.
One volunteer did quit the program because of gas prices and several have scaled back their delivery routes, she said.
In Frederick County, 150 volunteers deliver prepackaged lunches and dinners to 125 homebound adults each day. Volunteers pick up the meals at various locations and deliver them by mid-day.
Two volunteers have seen a strain on their wallets, but are not ready to abandon their deliveries.
Dawn Long, 43, of Walkersville has been using her Toyota SUV to deliver meals to six homebound residents in Woodsboro since August.
‘‘I can see how it would be challenging, but I’m able to do it,” said Long, who delivers meals in Woodsboro. ‘‘I’m just lucky I’m able to do this. I’m not going to stop.”
Burt Shawver, a volunteer for 14 years, said he is also not ready to give up his route. Shawver drives 25 miles delivering meals in the Ballenger Creek area of Frederick. It now costs him about $70 to fill up his 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck. That is up from $35 one year ago.
To volunteer
The next orientation is at 9 a.m., July 9 at the Frederick County Department of Aging, 1440 Taney Ave., in Frederick. For information, contact Mary at 301-600-3524 or e-mail her at Mcline@fredco-md.net.
