Less food, more people who need it and more money spent to distribute the food.

People who try to feed those in need are struggling with this equation as gasoline prices rise.

At Covenant House of Charleston, staff members have seen a 168 percent increase in demand for services during the first four months of this year as compared to the needs they served in the first four months of 2007.

"We are seeing critical needs of all sorts," said Amy Weintraub, Covenant House executive director.

Covenant House has a food pantry, but many people also turn to them for emergency needs when they cannot pay a utility bill or rent, she said.

The working poor are the hardest hit, she said. "People sometimes think Covenant House is for homeless people, but we also work to prevent homelessness," she said. When costs for food, utilities and transportation go up, they eat into the incomes of the working poor.

Carla Nardella, executive director of the Mountaineer Food Bank in Braxton County, said donations from small donors are down.

"They have already given at the pump," she said. "Food donations are down drastically."

The food bank has three tractor trailers and one refrigerated truck that need diesel fuel to distribute donated food to 493 pantries and feeding facilities in 48 counties.

Diesel fuel is more expensive now than regular gasoline. When she compared figures from the first quarter of last year to the first quarter of this year, Nardella discovered that her fuel costs increased 43.6 percent.

Fuel costs are also a problem for Earl Jackson, president of the local Meals on Wheels Inc., which delivers hot meals to homebound people who are unable to prepare food themselves.

"Our donations are down," Jackson said, "and our clients are suffering because of it. We also have fewer volunteer drivers, and we have had to shut down some routes."

Less food, more people who need it and more money spent to distribute the food.

People who try to feed those in need are struggling with this equation as gasoline prices rise.

At Covenant House of Charleston, staff members have seen a 168 percent increase in demand for services during the first four months of this year as compared to the needs they served in the first four months of 2007.

"We are seeing critical needs of all sorts," said Amy Weintraub, Covenant House executive director.

Covenant House has a food pantry, but many people also turn to them for emergency needs when they cannot pay a utility bill or rent, she said.

The working poor are the hardest hit, she said. "People sometimes think Covenant House is for homeless people, but we also work to prevent homelessness," she said. When costs for food, utilities and transportation go up, they eat into the incomes of the working poor.

Carla Nardella, executive director of the Mountaineer Food Bank in Braxton County, said donations from small donors are down.

"They have already given at the pump," she said. "Food donations are down drastically."

The food bank has three tractor trailers and one refrigerated truck that need diesel fuel to distribute donated food to 493 pantries and feeding facilities in 48 counties.

Diesel fuel is more expensive now than regular gasoline. When she compared figures from the first quarter of last year to the first quarter of this year, Nardella discovered that her fuel costs increased 43.6 percent.

Fuel costs are also a problem for Earl Jackson, president of the local Meals on Wheels Inc., which delivers hot meals to homebound people who are unable to prepare food themselves.

"Our donations are down," Jackson said, "and our clients are suffering because of it. We also have fewer volunteer drivers, and we have had to shut down some routes."

Jackson is not sure if rising gas prices have anything to do with it, but for the first time in the organization's history, they are also losing eight board members all at once.

"We are a completely volunteer-based organization," he said.

At Manna Meal, Inc. in Charleston, Jean Simpson, the new director, brings 23 years of experience in the food business.

"When I saw the gas prices going up," she said, "I knew what was going to happen."

For the last eight months, she has been stocking up where she can. She has also attended food shows, and because she buys in bulk, she was able to buy some food at half price.

"We're OK for the moment. We're not crushed by [increased fuel prices] yet, but it's coming," she said.

More people are showing up for breakfast and lunch at Manna Meal's location inside St. John's Episcopal Church on Quarrier Street.

"The volunteers are telling me each day that they are seeing new faces," she said.

While Simpson is stocking up on frozen and canned items, she still must buy fresh food as well. Like all shoppers, she is now paying more for milk.

In its more than 30 years of existence, Manna Meal has traditionally sent out a letter at Christmas asking for donations. This year, they also decided to send out a spring letter. Simpson said they are not receiving as much money as they had hoped.

"Does this mean consumers at home are cutting down on expenses and cutting down on what they give? I don't know," she said.

To contact staff writer Susan Williams, use e-mail or call 348-5112.