Feeding Southwest Virginia is dealing with ripple effects of inflation amid rising gas prices

Posted: Oct 19, 2021 / 08:48 PM EDT
/ Updated: Oct 19, 2021 / 08:48 PM EDT

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)– Rising gas prices across the nation is not only taking a toll on drivers but impacting Feeding Southwest Virginia’s ability to feed those in need.

According to the Consumer Price Index summary, gasoline rose 42.1 percent over the last year. In September alone it rose 1.2 percent.

CEO for Feeding Southwest Virginia, Pamela Irvine says the rising gas prices are making it difficult for seniors to travel to the non-profit locations to stock up on food.

“We just had in the last week four calls from disabled seniors who say they don’t even have transportation means to go out and even get donated emergency food,” said Irvine

Not only has the rising prices impacted seniors but also organizers of Feeding Southwest Virginia are concerned about how their operations will be impacted.

“We operate 19 commercial vehicles. We have tractor-trailers. We have box trucks. We have cargo vans and other vehicles. So, we have about a 30 vehicle fleet that we operate. So, we are very concerned about the cost of fuel of course,” said Irvine.

Organizers with Feeding Southwest Virginia say that people in rural areas are struggling more than in urban areas. The non-profit group is exploring new ways and new models to provide food to people particularly in rural areas where accessible grocery items will be more costly.