Santa Barbara County Foodbank: South county drivers struggle with increased gas prices and more

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Just when the Foodbank of Santa Barbara county thought the economic impact of COVID - 19 was going away, staff workers are facing new challenges.

"Yet in the last couple of months we’ve seen an increase 30% and this is down to one thing which is inflation," said CEO Erik Talkin of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.

Talkin said if you’re a low income family you spend a good percent of income on food and gas.

"People who work at the foodbank face the same challenges as well. I like to think it’s a great organization but we’re only as good as our staff," said Talkin.

“The gas prices … for myself just living in town I’m paying $120 per fill and I’m filling up about almost twice a week," said supervisor Jesse Aguilar of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.

Directors at the food bank said about 25 percent of their staff workers commute to get to work.

“They’re getting by but it is taking a toll on them with the gas prices going up and again the traffic leaving from Santa Barbara … and we leave around 330 which is heavy traffic," said Aguilar.

Talki said he doesn’t want those who work at the foodbank to have to access services from the foodbank.

"So our board of directors approved a cost of living increase that is weighted toward those in the organization who earn the least. These are essential workers who are picking up food and delivering food and ensure our communities are kept fed and resilient," said Talkin.

The foodbank said the high gas prices and overall inflation affected their staff in both the north and south parts of the county.