Johnstown, PA -- Lisa Weigel, the delivered meals coordinator with Cambria County's Meals on Wheels program, said its volunteer drivers are concerned with rising gas prices, and she's afraid they'll have to cut back on the number of fresh meals they deliver each week.

The group delivers food to more than 1,100 people four times a week. It used to be five times a week, but the program cut back when the price of gas went up a few years ago. And clients didn't blame them.

"The majority of the individuals were surprised we waited so long," said Weigel. "They were understanding."

She fears gas costs could cut deliveries back to three times a week.

"I don't want it to come to that," added Weigel.

Don Schrum started delivering Meals on Wheels nearly a decade ago, when the price of gas was about $1.25 per gallon -- just one-third of today's prices.

"Every time I get gas, it's a little bit more, and it doesn't stretch," said Schrum. He and the other volunteers get 48 cents per mile, but he said that isn't always enough to cover gas and wear and tear on his vehicle.

Weigel and Schrum said delivering five fresh meals a week is the best situation -- getting fresh meals to and making contact with shut-ins. With the cutback a few years ago, the group now delivers frozen meals on Tuesdays for clients to eat on Wednesdays.

Weigel believes the gas prices have affected her recruiting, which is necessary with a growing number of clients.

"It's difficult to find someone to come in and use their own vehicle on a regular basis with gas prices the way they are," said Weigel.

And both said there is only one solution to the problem.

"Bring the prices down," said Schrum.

"Other than bringing the gas prices down, I don't know," added Weigel. "I hope my dedicated group of volunteers sticks it out."

The Area Agency on Aging makes the decisions when it comes to potential cutbacks with the program. A message left with its director was not returned Monday.