Thursday, October 1, 2026
Pumping your gas may never have been the most pleasant experience, but lately, several people are downright angry. The skyrocketing prices are affecting them heavily — in their wallets.
Local businesses and residents are feeling the pinch. Valley Stream resident Vincent Sorrentino spends an average of $30 a week on gas. But that is only where it begins because when he arrives to work at Angelica’s restaurant in Lynbrook, he feels the impact even more. “All my vendors charge fuel surcharges now and materials are costing more,” he said.
These surcharges are costing him approximately $100 more a week. And customers are spending less on dinner, which he chalks up to the gas prices. “People have less disposable income,” he said.
It’s clear that price hikes are becoming a headache, and those who may be on a fixed income cannot afford it. Barbara Diglio, who runs the village’s Senior Sunshine Club, is worried. “It’s horrendous,” she said. “It can alter lives drastically. They don’t drive far, but it’s a heartache for them.”
The club provides a bus to local supermarkets twice a week. Because of the gas prices, several seniors carpool and shop locally. But Diglio’s not so lucky — spending more than $30 to fill up her tank.
At Blessed Sacrament’s food pantry, gas vouches are offered to clients. Partnering with AJ’s Automotive on Central Avenue, residents and even those from other communities use the $20 and $25 vouchers whenever they come to pick up food. According to Director Judith Miccio, clients take full advantage of this whenever gas costs more than $ 4 a gallon.
“It’s getting harder and harder for people to keep gas in their cars,” Miccio said. “It’s hard to keep food on the shelves because of the economy.”
She added that there has not been a noticeable difference in the amount of visitors since gas prices increased, but they pay a gas bill to AJ’s.
The Bethlehem Assembly of God’s House of Hope on East Fairview Avenue is also feeling the hurt. More money is being spent on gas for deliveries. House of Hope is down to two drivers now, and that’s largely because of the high prices, Director Dawnelle Miller said. They deliver to about 20 families on a given weekend. “That’s quite a burden on one person using their vehicle,” she said.
Recently, a volunteer who picked up food at Long Island Cares had to spend $90 for the trip, Miller said. Whenever possible, they use the church’s van to save money.
Over at Mama Gina’s Pizza on Merrick Road, they are not only dealing with delivery surcharges, but customer complaints. Its prices rose because importing ingredients from outside New York is costing more — about a 10 to 15 percent. And vendors are charging extra costs for gas. “When you raise something, you raise everything,” said owner Pasqule Del Prete.
Prices increased by 8 percent in the last two months at Blue Diamond Limousines on Rockaway Avenue, according to owner Richard Iavarone. “The gas prices are affecting the bottom line,” he said.
Iavarone’s gas costs range from $8 to $20 per night, and depend on the number of hours. Now paying a dollar more a gallon, they are cutting some personnel, he noted.
And Juan Reyes, owner of Ace Landscaping Services, spends around $1,000 a month for his two trucks, which make several daily trips.
Surprisingly, some residents see the increase as having positive effects. “I love living a mile from my work,” said Jeannine Bold-Maloney. “When gas goes up, sneakers go on or the bike comes out.”
