Gas Prices and Rising Cost of Food Hurting Charitable Organizations

It seems that the high gas prices and rising food prices are hitting the most vulnerable in our society, especially the elderly and the poor, and the volunteer organizations that are trying to assist them. With the rising food and gas prices it leaves less money for the middle class to donate to these worthy causes. Also, the price of gas and food certainly impacts financial decisions for organizations like Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels, and other great organizations are faced with some hard choices these days. They often feed a lot of people who are disabled or otherwise cannot get out of the home due to medical conditions or other reasons.

It is just not that organization that is suffering, almost of all of them are reporting less donations and help in some form or another. Local food banks and other charities are also feeling the crunch. It would seem that if the working class has to pay more for food, gas and other necessities then it would only be reasonable to assume they would have less money to donate to these causes as well.

People who are on fixed incomes are having trouble affording the cost of oil to heat their homes in the winter; this is especially troublesome for seniors who just do not have the tolerance or ability to handle the cold like someone younger. Add to that the cost of food and it is easy to see that we have a huge issue to deal with. For example, a United States government agency predicts that by the second half of 2008, 28 million people in the US will be using government food stamps to buy essential groceries, the highest level since the food assistance programme was introduced in the 1960s.

To sum it up, high gas prices and higher costs in general will have a much deeper impact than just at the pumps or your pocket book. Many people rely on these services and need them for their survival. There are many charitable organizations that have websites and could gladly use donations. We must all be aware of the issues facing us in North America.