Montez Belcher, a 39-year-old single mother of five, loved her volunteer work for Meals-on-Wheels, Greater San Diego. Two days a week, the former Navy communications specialist delivered meals to seven older clients who don't shop or cook.
But this month, she reluctantly gave up the gig, blaming the high price of gas.
Montez, a full-time City College student with a part-time job, is on a welfare-to-work program. She started volunteering in February as part of a community service requirement for her social work class. And by the time she finished the required 40 hours, she'd fallen in love with her clients and decided to continue.
Unfortunately, she drives a gas-guzzling minivan and could no longer afford the $4.50-plus a gallon at the pumps.
“I honestly miss the people. They would look forward to me coming and ask about my kids.
“They need those meals. That's what keeps you strong and alive.”
So, she's been saving up for a smaller, more fuel-efficient car. If she can swing it, she promises, she'll resume her volunteer work.
The escalating price of gas has slammed Meals-on-Wheels hard. Its volunteers roster has dropped a whopping 30 percent because of it, according to Maryanna Ochoa, development director for the program.
Many of the volunteers are retirees on fixed incomes who simply can't afford the extra cost.
Ochoa figures the group needs about 2,000 volunteers a month to continue delivering about 800 meals a day to frail, older clients, many of whom live on an annual income of only about $15,000.
The group delivers six days a week, dropping off a total of 14 meals to each client. Volunteers put in up to two hours a day and drive from about 10 to 30 miles. They choose the area in which they want to drive, as well as how often.
A big part of the job is checking in with clients, who often have health problems and are alone with no family around. Some people just use the service for a short time after a hospital stay.
Clients pay from $3.25 to $7 for two meals a day, depending on their financial circumstances.
For now, with the volunteer force depleted, Greater San Diego's small office staff is pitching in to help with deliveries.
And the local Meals-on-Wheels isn't the only one feeling the volunteer crunch. Ochoa says that some of the meal-delivery groups around the country have stopped delivering altogether, while others have reduced the number of days. Though they do drop off enough food for the week, she says, there's nobody to check daily on clients who might have fallen or taken medication incorrectly.
Meals-on-Wheels is supported by client fees, donations and grants. Drivers are not reimbursed for mileage.
My friend Jo Ann suggested that the program contact the large oil companies, local service stations and car dealers to see if they might donate gas cards to such a worthy cause. Ochoa likes the idea, and says she'll try.
But the bottom line, she says, is the group needs more volunteers. The more who sign up, the fewer miles each has to drive. Even businesses can help. Ochoa points out that SeaWorld and Qualcomm are among the local businesses that have adopted routes and send out employees at lunchtime. It does take a village.
To sign up for this rewarding program, phone Meals-on-Wheels, Greater San Diego at (619) 260-6110 or one of the smaller other Meals-on-Wheels programs in your neighborhood.
Marsha Kay Seff edits the San Diego ElderCare Directory. The 2008 books are available at libraries, senior centers, and UT offices. You can also check online at SanDiegoElderCare.com. Contact Seff at marsha.seff@uniontrib.com.
