CCNN sees more people asking for help as gas prices rise

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) — As many try to adjust their lives and budgets to rising gas prices, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada sees more and more people considering public transportation.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in people coming to our resource centre, where they’re asking for vouchers for the bus service or looking to see if they can get help keeping their tank full so that they can go back and forth. work,” Marie Baxter, CCNN CEO.

She says around all of the partner food pantries, they’ve noticed customers carpooling, walking and cycling more.

“A pretty dramatic increase in people looking for and finding these pantries in their neighborhood and not trying to make the trek to the one that’s right downtown at the corner of 4th and Valley,” said said Baxter.

The resource center offers day passes for the buses, which Fred Marchbank picked up on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s going to help me tomorrow when I have errands to run, you know, it’s an all-day pass,” Marchbank said. “Every little bit counts.”

Seven-day bus passes are also available, as needed.

According to Baxter, each partner pantry has case managers on site, who can assess a customer’s situation.

CCNN has so far been unaffected by gas prices through grants that have helped cover travel costs.

The organization encourages anyone seeking help to go to the nearest food pantry and ask for resources.

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