Drivers are feeling the impact of the latest gas tax increase.
“Getting here on the Central Coast, it’s really high. I have a Yukon as well, and that’s parked right now. I have to drive my wife’s car just to get back and forth around,” said local driver, Ronald Jordan.
In an effort to raise money for its mass transit and road projects, California raised gas prices an additional 5.6 cents per gallon.
For the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, the increase means it may face new hurdles when it comes to feeding the hungry.
SLO Food Bank CEO Kevin Drabinski said, “Certainly an increase in the prices of gas affects a non-profit like ours because we have fairly narrow margins; however, we’re trying to always ensure the 30,000 people in this county who need our help are getting the food that they need.”
The food bank travels as far as the California Valley to deliver food and it will pay more for the gas it uses getting there and it could also face higher fees for the deliveries it receives.
But Drabinksi says these gas prices primarily affect families in need, who might have to make a choice between housing, health, and transportation.
That means even more people could turn to the food bank for help.
“We may indeed as a result of something like this, see an increase as people have less to spend on food and they may turn to the food bank and our agency partners for additional assistance,” Drabinski said.
In an effort to fight these increasing gas prices, the food bank has purchased its first hybrid truck, which managers hope will soften the impact not only on the planet but on their pockets.
The food banks says no matter what, the deliveries will get made.
