Nonprofits hit by high fuel costs

By AMANDA RICKER Chronicle Staff Writer

Some nonprofit organizations are especially hard-hit by rising gas prices because they have no choice, they need their wheels, but they can’t raise taxes to cover their increased expenses.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, which give free performances to communities throughout Montana, northern Wyoming, eastern Idaho and North Dakota, may need to pass the hat in the audience a few more times this season.

“At the time we did our budgeting, we had no idea gas prices would go that high,” Artistic Director Joel Jahnke said.

The group has actually increased the number of shows it plans to perform this season.

“We’ll travel about 20,000 miles in two different vehicles,” Jahnke said. “One is a diesel pick-up and one is a 15-passenger van, so they aren’t all that good on gas mileage.”

Another agency that must drive to serve its clients is Meals on Wheels.

But as the cost of filling the tank went up this spring, the Livingston chapter of that organization lost roughly half of its volunteer drivers, Jill Springfield, director of the program told the Livingston Enterprise this month.

The Livingston branch delivers meals Monday through Friday to area residents within city limits who are 60 years or older and are unable to get a meal or cook one.

Springfield said she feared more volunteers would quit if gas prices climbed higher.

The Meals on Wheels program in Bozeman hasn’t been hit that hard, coordinator Sue Keep said. It is holding steady - for now.

“We’re very, very fortunate,” she said. “All of my volunteers absolutely love delivering. So far, so good.”

-- Amanda Ricker

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