Escalating gas prices and a lethargic economy born of the 2008 recession have caused workers to adjust commutes, businesses to rethink travel reimbursements and families to take “staycations.”

Charitable organizations in McHenry County that rely on volunteers to provide services to home-bound seniors are no different. The organizations and drivers themselves have limited financial resources to meet ever-growing demand.

“It seems like every year it whittles away,” Salvation Army Maj. Ken Nichlai said of volunteer drivers caught short by higher gas prices and daily living expenses. “They want to do it for free, and they want to do it for nothing, but there’s a cost involved with running their vehicle,” he said.