DENISON, TX - Experts say gas prices are on the rise again, which could change the way some people do their jobs and even volunteer work. Jalah Gray talked with Texoma Meals on Wheels today about the future of the program, if we don't start getting some relief at the pump.

Karen Maggi has been delivering meals on wheels for five years now, and although high gas prices won't stop her, she says it has stopped others.

"That's been a problem before when it went up not too long ago, it was a problem for volunteers," Maggi said.

"It's not uncommon for a route to maybe be 30 or 40 miles round trip, and that really can impact the wallet," said Greg Pittman.

New Executive Director, Greg Pittman, says he's aware that the price of gas might go up considerably by this summer, and he worries they might lose volunteers.

"Certainly for those volunteers who are on a fixed income, that can very quickly become a limiting factor in how involved they can be," Pittman said.

So Pittman says they have a few plans in place to keep volunteers on the road, including what they call a waiver program.

"Clients who live more than ten miles one way from our center, we ask them to sign a waiver so that we can deliver them 4 frozen meals and hot meal at the same time, a full weeks worth, to minimize the number of times we have to do that route," said Pittman.

He says they also try to limit the amount of miles volunteers drive by keeping their routes close to home.

"We always try to tailor a route to suite both their availability and their geographic location," Pittman said.

"There are different routes that you can volunteer for that wouldn't take as much gasoline," said Maggi.

In worst case scenarios, Pittman says they will help volunteers with gas, through donations from churches and other organizations.
Maggi says despite what's happening with gas prices, many people still depend on these visits.

"We may be the only people they see in a given day, so it brightens their day as well as ours," Maggi said.

Meals on Wheels always needs volunteers. They say right now, Bonham and Gainesville desperately need help. For information on how to volunteer call 903-786-3351 or 1-877-900-3351.