I just noticed gas has gotten so expensive lately, and someone mentioned it's even affecting nonprofits that deliver meals around Lexington. Are there any city programs helping organizations deal with these fuel costs?

You're absolutely right about the gas prices. Gas prices in Lexington have risen fifty cents per gallon over the past week, and local nonprofits are definitely feeling the squeeze. Terry Mullins with Moveable Feast said the organization relies on volunteers to deliver meals each afternoon, and he expects participation to decline as fuel costs rise because most volunteers operate on tight budgets and will have to weigh the cost of fuel against their ability to help.

That's heartbreaking. So are these organizations just left to figure it out on their own?

Well, there aren't really direct city fuel assistance programs for nonprofits, but there are some broader support systems. Community Action Council administers LIHEAP in Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas counties, which helps low-income families with energy costs. What's happening is organizations like Moveable Feast, which delivers between eighty-three and one hundred three meals a day to Lexington residents battling food insecurity and illness, are having to get creative. Both organizations will rely more heavily on volunteers and monetary donations as fuel costs remain elevated.

Are there any other local organizations dealing with this same problem?

Definitely. Glean Kentucky, a nonprofit aimed at reducing food waste while helping vulnerable residents across Fayette County, picks up food and delivers that to The Nest, an organization in Lexington that distributes the food to families. They're managing sudden jumps in fuel costs by reducing nonfood-related deliveries. It's really showing how interconnected our food assistance network is, and when fuel costs spike, it ripples through the whole system.

Listen live: The Lexington Times runs a 24/7 local news livestream — watch on YouTube or on Facebook. This transcript is from a recent on-air segment.