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Soaring prices at the pump are taking a toll on Calgary charities that provide transportation and delivery services to those in need.
Between picking up groceries and delivering food hampers to clients with medical needs, the Calgary Food Bank spends an average of $10,000 in fuel each month.
But as the U.S.-Israel war against Iran continues, that expense is increasing fast.
At GasBuddy, petroleum analyst Matt McClain said the cost of a litre of gas has jumped by 26 cents in the past month in Calgary, causing average gas prices to hover around $1.50 a litre.
“It’s a little bit more than 20 per cent month-over-month right now, and we expect that it will probably stay that way for sure for the duration of March,” said CEO Melissa From of the Calgary Food Bank’s fuel expenses.
The Calgary Food Bank spends about $10,000 per month on fuel. (Dan McGarvey/CBC)
She’s worried about what comes next.
“Very shortly after we see fuel prices increase like this, we will start to see that affect the cost of food because, of course, transportation is a huge part of our food supply chain,” said From.
“We are definitely going to be getting hit in a few different directions by this.”
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Volunteering slowdown
When Annastasia Stevens sees prices at the pump rising, the co-executive director of Calgary Seniors thinks about her volunteers.
The organization has two main programs affected by gas prices: its essential transportation program and its shopping companion program.
Stevens said volunteers in the latter program aren’t reimbursed for gas, and that means they’re absorbing bigger hits to their wallets.
“That might lead to either stop volunteering or reduce the amount they’re volunteering,” said Stevens.
Calgary Seniors is worried high gas prices will deter people from signing up to volunteer for its escorted transportation programs. (Emma Mattos)
It’s a difficult problem to navigate when the waitlists for both programs combined are growing to 800 seniors, she said.
Calgary Meals on Wheels is bracing for the same problem. It has around 450 volunteers who deliver meals using their own vehicles.
Christine Hentschel, manager of strategic initiatives and partnerships, said the organization has historically seen gas prices impact its volunteer programs.
“There was a hit a couple years back where we did see some volunteers who reduced their number of trips that they made for us. … Hopefully we don’t get to that point,” said Hentschel.
Prices expected to go higher
McClain predicts the worst of gas prices is yet to come.
“By the end of this week or early this weekend, we’re probably going to see as much as 10 to 15 more cents per litre added onto the national average,” he said.
Past that, McClain said, it’s tough to predict how long these elevated gas prices will last.
“It’s just way too volatile right now,” said McClain. “Every single day is a new day when it comes to war.”