More volunteers needed

By Staff Reports

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With inflation running at its fastest pace in 17 years, and prices for necessities rising accordingly, it is no surprise that programs to help feed the elderly are hard hit. We hope, however, that caring volunteers will continue to step up to help deliver meals.

The York County Council on Aging runs four senior centers -- one each in York, Clover, Rock Hill and Fort Mill. The council receives federal and state money, and donations from the United Way, churches and individuals.

Some seniors are able to go to the centers for hot meals and activities. But about 235 elderly residents rely on meals delivered by the respective centers.

The Meals on Wheels program is designed not only to ensure that seniors in the community get enough to eat but also to keep them in their homes and out of expensive nursing care when possible. But cuts in funding and higher prices for fuel and food make that more difficult by the week.

The council also must rely on a force of nearly 90 volunteers who deliver meals. But the York Senior Center alone has lost more than half its volunteer drivers in the past two months, most of whom cite high gas prices as the reason.

The council has done everything it can to reduce the strain on drivers. It uses volunteers on a rotating basis, so the burden doesn't fall continuously on a few people; it charts the shortest delivery routes; and it groups deliveries by streets and neighborhoods.

And it pays volunteers 40 cents a mile for their trouble. Volunteers need to do the math: At 40 cents a mile, they are getting far more from the council than what they are paying for gas and wear and tear on their cars.

We realize that even with reimbursement, this is a big investment of time and effort on the part of volunteers. And that is much appreciated, especially by those who rely on this service for meals and companionship.

But we hope the constant drumbeat about inflation and rising gas prices doesn't discourage people from volunteering. The work they do is vital to the well-being of hundreds of senior citizens.

If you already deliver meals, please continue to do so. And if you aren't currently a volunteer, please consider offering a helping hand to this program.