More meal-delivery drivers seek gas money

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October 20, 2008

By DENISE A. RAYMO The Press Republican Mon Oct 20, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

MALONE -- A program that delivers nutritious meals to Franklin County senior citizens and the disabled was tossed a $3,000 lifeline Thursday so it could operate until March.

Retired Senior Volunteer Program Director Susan Schrader said the trouble is due to state budget cuts, tighter federal dollars and higher fuel costs drivers are paying to take hot food and emergency lunches to its Meals on Wheels clients.

RSVP is an all-volunteer agency that places seniors in community-service positions such as the gift shop at Alice Hyde Medical Center, High Peaks Hospice, the eight county adult centers, medical-transportation calls and more.

Schrader has an annual budget of $94,764, "but it's just not enough to operate on," she said. She is constantly holding fundraisers to bring in extra cash with such things as weekly Michigan Day at the County Courthouse, cookbook sales, silent auctions, a purse sale, a costume-jewelry sale and bake sales, she said.

"Unless we see more state money and federal money, there may not be an RSVP program.

"It goes back to mileage. The biggest problem is mileage."

Schrader has 100 volunteer drivers, and they are entitled to reimbursements of 31 cents per mile.

She said 40 of them now apply for reimbursement, which is up 25 percent from a year ago.

But, she said, she encourages the compensation because she knows they are battling fuel prices and the wear and tear on their personal vehicles to perform this important volunteer work.

However, because mileage vouchers have increased, she has less than $2,000 left in her volunteer-travel account to take her through March 31, when her new grant year begins.

The average monthly travel expense is $848, which would put RSVP $3,164 in the hole by the end of March.

After checking with County Treasurer Bryon Varin, legislators were able to pass a resolution to cover the needed expenses.

In other action Thursday, legislators:

Joined along with Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities officials to recognize the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, the Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living and Ward Lumber as honor employers for their hiring disabled workers.

Appointed Thomas Finch, vice president of academic affairs at North Country Community College, to a two-year term on the Franklin County Workforce Council and the Regional Workforce Investment Board to expire Oct. 15, 2010.

Appointed Joseph Perry to a one-year term on the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Industrial Development Agency to expire Nov. 30, 2009.

Recognized Bernard J. "Jimmy" Brown of Tupper Lake for his 65 years of service as a firefighter with the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at:

draymo@pressrepublican.com