Gas Shortage Pinches Charities, Delivery Services

Posted:

Gas Gauge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Long lines and overrun gas stations ran dry over the weekend throughout parts of Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky.

The recent shortage forced charities such as Meals On Wheels and professions such as home health nurses to make major sacrifices to get the job done.

Their jobs involve a lot of driving, but saving every gallon is worth it in order to help those in need.

"This is the postpartum unit where mothers come after they have their babies," said Jill Cooper, a Baptist Hospital nurse, looking at newborns resting in a hospital nursery.

Cooper divides her day with duties at the hospital and visiting newborns in their new homes.

"I tried not to let it get too low," said Cooper while driving.

The recent gas shortage gave her and others affiliated with Nurses for Newborns Tennessee a big scare.

Nurses for Newborns' mission is to "provide a safety net for families most at risk; to help prevent infant mortality, child abuse and neglect through home based programs that provide education, healthcare and positive parenting skills," according to the organization's Web site.

Many of the babies Cooper sees are either born premature or to mothers who need her help.

"They may not get to go to the doctor so I feel it is important to go and do my visits," she said.

To do so, Cooper cut down on her personal driving in order to save gas. Thus far, the 15 nurses of Nurses for Newborns haven't missed an appointment.

"I'm glad she was still able to get out to me," said one mother.

Despite the gas shortage, nurses that make home visits are still getting where they need to go.

Cooper wonders when it will end.

"I am ready for short lines at the gas station and I am actually ready for the gas price to come down. Only time will tell," she said.

Several home healthcare groups and meal delivery programs indicated that they will continue providing services to their clients, but it comes at a cost because gas prices are the most expensive as they've ever been.

Nurses for Newborns could end up spending nearly twice as much on fuel in September as compared to last September. The Nashville area continues to see the worst gasoline shortage in the Southeast.

American Automobile Association spokesman Randy Bly said Atlanta and Tallahassee, Fla., are also seeing shortages, but nothing like what the greater Nashville area experienced since Friday morning.