1998 Ford Escort Ford Escort has gas smell and hard start

My ford escort has a gas smell and tends to start hard especially after sitting all night. We have to turn the key, once, then start the car while pumping the gas pedal to get it to start. If we don't, it will struggle to start. The gas smell does not go away if driven. Is this a fix I can do or should we take it to a shop. We plan on keeping the car for at least another year.

Thanks,
Christina