Rising diesel costs are creating financial strain for Nonprofit organizations, like the Food Bank of Iowa. Food Bank of Iowa operates 12 trucks traveling over 270,000 miles annually to deliver food across the state. On Thursday, oil prices surged to $126 a barrel and in Iowa, triple A reports the average price of regular gas is now $3.90 per gallon while diesel fuel is reported at $4.96 per gallon and that is more than a dollar higher than a year ago.
Currently, Iowa Food Bank is paying $1.59 more for every gallon of diesel than they were in February. That’s an extra $5,000 a month that could be spent on food.
The additional $5,000 monthly expense is a significant burden for the nonprofit and they are working to maximize truck routes by ensuring vehicles are fully loaded and strategically packed before each trip to their 700 partners across Iowa.
More than 385,000 Iowans face hunger issues, and the food bank is concerned about how rising diesel prices will affect its operations. The Food Bank is 100 percent funded by generous donors and more fundraising is in the future.
Next week, Mt. Pleasant Fellowship Cup Director, Ken Brown will visit with KILJ about some of these issues and the effect on Henry County residents who rely on the Fellowship Cup for support.