Increased fuel costs impact US food pantry ministries

Since the ongoing conflict in Iran began a few weeks ago, the average cost of a gallon of gas has increased by about 40 cents, according to AAA. Diesel has gone up by about 66 cents.The cost of gas affects many other costs in the American economy, including the cost of transporting goods such as food.Food pantries often include a mobile component that delivers food to those in the community who can’t reach them. With the increased price of fuel, MinistryWatch reached out to Christian food pantry ministries to see how rising costs are affecting them.Robert Gager, CEO of Shepherd’s Heart food pantry in Waco, Texas, told MinistryWatch the ministry has seen its costs increase, not just for fuel but also for food packaging supplies.The ministry is still able to meet the continuing needs of the community, he said, even though its donations have “fluctuated a bit.”“As a faith based nonprofit we do not have any government support. As long as we can keep going forward, God is faithful through o