How to go
What: Xenia Christian Church members will pay 50 cents of the price per each gallon of gas sold
When: 2 to 4 p.m. April 9
Where: United Dairy Farmers, 340 W. Second St., Xenia.
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XENIA — There’s no need to pray for lower gas prices.
A 50-cent reduction per gallon will appear, at least for two hours April 9 at a Xenia gas station, thanks to Pastor Wesley Miller and the Xenia Christian Center.
A similar “gas buy down” effort in 2008 produced long lines and media attention. This year’s effort — from 2 to 4 p.m., April 9 at the United Dairy Farmers at 340 W. Second St. in Xenia — will be a doubled-down version.
“We plan on doing 50 cents per gallon,” Miller said. “Gas is higher than it was (in 2008) when it was 3.25 that day. This time, it will be closer to $3.50. We’re kind of back in the same place for gas (prices). The last couple years, gas was kind of lower.”
On March 30, the average price of gasoline in Ohio was $3.62, according to gasbuddy.com.
Bloomberg.com reported that crude oil for May delivery jumped to $106.85 on Friday. Futures hit $107.84, the highest intraday price since Sept. 26, 2008.
“This is from the people, the generosity from offerings,” Miller said. “It’s an opportunity for us to help the community.”
Miller said the city again will be notified. “It was incredible. It was lined up the whole time,” he said. “The police helped with traffic. And it’s not on the main street so it’s easier for traffic flow.”
Like last time, the church will offer full service, including pumping the gas and cleaning windshields. Miller said the 2008 effort cost more than $1,000 in gas and vouchers, but was worth it to pass out invitations to Easter service.
This year’s Easter service is April 24 at his church at 282 Stelton Road, Xenia.
“Last time we had churches across the country asking us how we did it,” Miller said. “It kind of inspires others to do the same thing.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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