Senior Meal Drivers Feel Gas Price Pinch

Since the cost of gas skyrocketed, the way two local agencies deliver meals to homebound residents changed.

Dennis Raczkowski works for NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc. and delivers weekly and bimonthly packages of frozen meals.

One day's fare of nutritionally balanced meals delivered at no charge by Raczkowski included oven roasted chicken, whipped cinnamon sweet potatoes, green beans with onions, whole grain bread with apple sauce and a dairy drink.

Things have changed for Raczkowski, a long-time commercially licensed driver, who motors about 100 miles a week for NU-HOPE, while serving about 140 clients a month.

The CDL driver cut his gas usage since the price of fuel went up. Eighteen volunteers deliver meals for NU-HOPE, along with Raczkwoski, the sole part-time employee driver.

"I try to time it out to where I make the lights," said Raczkowski. "I don't try to outrun everyone. I slide up to a stop light and slow down."

While gas prices regularly rise and fall, Raczkowski keeps an eye on those fluctuations.

"I can tell you on any given day who has the cheapest gas, and I buy the cheapest I can find," said Raczkowksi.

Earl Conrad, of Sebring, drives for Meals on Wheels in Sebring, and delivers daily meals. He bought a more fuel efficient car and drives slower than when gas cost a third of what it now does.

"I turn off the air conditioning when I drive around town, which saves two miles a gallon," said Conrad. "And I accelerate a little slower, and take my foot off the gas a little sooner."

Sandy Foster, NU-HOPE executive director, manages the organization that provides home delivered meals and also distributes food at four county NU-HOPE meal sites.

Boxes of NU-HOPE food arrive in frozen packages of five and seven meals. Recently, the elder care provider started delivering two weeks worth of meals at the same time to those who have adequate freezer capacity.

"The more frozen meals we can provide, the cheaper it is for everybody," said Foster. "We provide the meals in quantity, versus one meal a day."

For more than a year, the 501 c 3 charitable organization has offered its volunteers payment for gas.

"We reimburse mileage payment to volunteers, if requested, but surprisingly, only a few have requested reimbursement, said Foster.

Carolyn Theime, NU-HOPE meal program coordinator, said that rarely do drivers cover the same area - routes are area specific.

"No two volunteers drive down the same streets," said Theime. "They're in Placid Lakes one day and Avon Park another."

Lolly Tharpe, Meals on Wheels of Sebring interim executive director, said she's heard none of her 35 volunteer drivers complain about gas prices.

She said most drivers, like Dean Graham, Sebring Meals on Wheels president, and Ralph Tomassi, a nine year veteran volunteer driver, likely feel the same way.

"If you want to volunteer, you volunteer whatever it takes," said Tharpe.

For those who are in need of meals from NU-HOPE, want to volunteer or provide financial assistance, call 863-382-2134. For Sebring Meals on Wheels, call 863-402-1818.