Local nonprofit challenged by recent rise in gas prices

DAYTON — A non-profit organization that will soon celebrate two years in the Miami Valley says that gas prices have made their work to deliver free meals more challenging.

One man is now doubling down on his effort to help despite tightening budgets.

Daryl Adkins, Board Member of Miami Valley Meals, has delivered free meals to people in need throughout the community for two years.

>> Gas prices continue soaring locally; approaching $4 per gallon

It’s something he told News Center 7 he was inspired to do after the 2019 Memorial Day Tornados.

“The tornado hit—that kind of struck me because my church became a Red Cross shelter,” Adkins said. “Food out to anybody that came up there.”

His church, Enon Baptist Church, is one of about 40 delivery partners with Miami Valley Meals.

“We deliver meals four days a week...up to 200 meals a week.” Adkins said. He says it’s about 13 stops.

He says some houses get single meals and some get multiple meals, so it’s time consuming—especially right now with gas prices over $4.00 a gallon.

Adkins says his church takes care of the cost for fuel. Right now, he says they haven’t lost a lot of revenue from the church due to this.

He says even if they did, they would continue to help out their community.

“There’s a lot of people that depend on these meals,” Adkins said. “When you miss a day people tell you that they miss you.”

One way you can help out Miami Valley Meals is by becoming a volunteer. They say they are always in need and welcome anyone who would like to give back to their community.

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