KING COUNTY, Wash. -- The high cost of gas my end up hurting the county's most vulnerable people. The non-profit group Senior Services says some volunteers are quitting because they can't afford to help, leaving senior services in a bind.

"We have more clients than volunteers at this point so we can usually do about 95 percent of the requests we receive. But each week we have more clients. We just don't have the volunteers to match up with," said volunteer coordinator Chris Hoffer.

Senior Services volunteers drive senior citizens to doctor's appointments. Drivers are reimbursed $.35 per mile, but volunteer Jim Orchekowsky says that doesn't begin to cover costs with gas prices so high.

"The total cost as far as replacement, repair and the whole thing comes well over 50 cents a mile," he said. "If costs keep going up, it has to be trimmed somewhere."

Volunteer Don Schuller waited hours at a Renton gas station for 10 gallons of free gas. It is a small relief for Schuller who is on a fixed income, but he welcomed the help. Schuller drives up to 90 miles a day to help seniors in need.

"I'm starting to get to a point where I may be smart to quit doing it because I'm taking out of my own pocket, you know," Schuller said.

Hoffer says he is hearing similar complaints from many of the 400 volunteers. Even those who have served seniors for two decades are calling it quits, he said.

Hoffer's pool of volunteers shrinks every time gas prices go up but the non-profit group cannot afford to pay volunteers extra. Senior Services relies on donations to stay afloat and that money does not flow in during tough economic times.

Anyone who wishes to become a Senior Services volunteer is urged to call (206) 448-5757.