ACCESS, Jackson County’s Community Action nonprofit, is aiming to collect 10,000 pounds of food and $30,000 to help support the ACCESS regional Food Bank. Now in its 38th year, Food for Hope is the largest annual community food and fund drive helping to fight hunger in Jackson County. Donations collected will stay local to help those facing food insecurity in our community.
“Historically, we have seen an increase in the need for food assistance over the holidays, and this year is no different”, says Marcee Champion, ACCESS Food Programs Director. She adds, “Every year, we rely on donations from our community during the Grocery Bag Drive to help us meet the increased need”.
An increasing need for food and fund donations
Last year, ACCESS distributed 5.2 million pounds of food through the regional Food Bank to feed more than 44,000 people in Jackson County. Many factors, from the pandemic to the wildfire disasters have contributed to a greater need for food assistance in our area.
“With food prices increasing and the lingering effects of the pandemic, there is so much need for food in our community right now. The Food for Hope food and fund drive helps ACCESS stock up the shelves in our food pantries so we can get it to hungry families struggling this holiday season and into the new year,” says ACCESS Executive Director Carrie Borgen.
Grocery bags will be distributed in the Mail Tribune on Sunday, November 21st, the Savor on Wednesday, November 24th, and will also be available at Food 4 Less and Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets. ACCESS is asking for the bags to be filled with non-perishable food items and dropped off at ACCESS, Food 4 Less, Sherm’s Thunderbird Markets, Umpqua Bank locations, and local fire stations by December 31st.
For a list of all drop-off locations and the most needed food items please visit www.accesshelps.org/food-for-hope.
Coastal Farm & Ranch is matching all cash donations, up to a total of $1000. Tax deductible monetary donations can be made online at www.accesshelps.org/food-for-hope or mailed to ACCESS, P.O. Box 4666, Medford, OR 97501.
The Food for Hope food and fund drive is sponsored by Sherm’s Thunderbird, Food 4 Less and Rosebud Media. For more information, email donorsupport@accesshelps.org
