Food bank fuel budget: Three Square's diesel bill reaches $34,000
Southern Nevada's Three Square Food Bank says a 73% rise in diesel prices over the past year pushed its monthly fleet fuel spending from about $16,000 to roughly $34,000.
By Stella Brooks ·
Three Square Food Bank's monthly fuel bill for its delivery fleet has grown from roughly $16,000 to about $34,000, a jump the organization attributes to a 73% increase in diesel prices over the past year. The Las Vegas-area nonprofit moves donated and rescued food to distribution sites across Southern Nevada.
Beth Martino, Three Square's president and chief executive, said fuel costs cut directly against food spending: "Rising fuel prices are putting added pressure on food banks like Three Square." She added, "Fuel is essential to every step of our work, from bringing food into our warehouse to delivering it throughout our community." Three Square officials said each additional dollar spent on fuel is a dollar not spent on deliveries.
Three Square reported distributing 58 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2026, comprising 32 million pounds of donated food and 23 million pounds of rescued farm produce. Officials said transporting and storing rescued produce requires refrigerated trailers running continuously, adding to storage costs alongside the freight bill.
The organization's food distribution comes as Southern Nevadans seek assistance, and Martino said in a statement that "every additional dollar spent on fuel makes it more challenging to meet the growing need." Three Square has not disclosed changes to its delivery routes, schedule or service area in response to the higher costs. The organization is asking residents to check on neighbors, noting that food insecurity is not always visible.
Three Square Food Bank operates in Southern Nevada, distributing donated and rescued food across the region.
