NEW YORK STATE -- New York's senior U.S. senator says some help may be on the way for those who help charities but find rising fuel costs have taken a bite out of their wallets.

Groups like Meals On Wheels say volunteers have been harder to come by because reimbursement rates for the drivers who deliver food to those in need remain at a level of just 14 cents a mile. Senator Charles Schumer is now pressing a bill that would raise that rate to 27 cents.

"They're doing it out of good charity and good intensions and it's part of our American tradition and our great religious traditions, but they should at least should be able to deduct the extra costs when they drive their car to volunteer," Schumer said.

Schumer says he's optimistic there will be strong support for the proposal.