Food, Gasoline Prices Jump Again - But Meals On Wheels Must Keep On Rolling!

Food and gasoline prices rose again in September, putting an added strain on consumers and businesses, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Food prices rose 0.4 percent, pushed up by big increases in the dairy, cereals, and fruits and vegetables categories. Gas prices rose 2.9 percent.

Dairy prices alone have jumped 10.2 percent in the past year. Gasoline prices have soared 33.3 percent.

These increases have placed an added strain on the operating budgets of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and other meal delivery programs around the country. With the vast majority of our clients on fixed incomes and/or structured federal or state assistance programs, we are not in a position to pass higher costs on to our consumers the way a traditional business would -- nor would we want to.

How can you help? One way is to volunteer to deliver meals to your homebound neighbors. It makes a difference for them, and for us, and it will enrich your life in the process. Right now we are in need of volunteers at many of our sites in the two-county area. Volunteers typically help one morning a week for 60 to 90 minutes.

We also gratefully accept donations throughout the year. Contributions help us underwrite the cost of meals for seniors who otherwise might not be able to afford them. Donations also help offset rising operating expenses and maintain office equipment, commissary equipment (all of our food is prepared fresh daily), and our delivery trucks, each of which log more than 30,000 miles a year delivering food to our sites.

To make a donation, please call 330-832-7220. Or you can mail it to:

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, 2363 Nave St. SE, Massillon, OH 44646

Thank you!