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Growing need spurs ACCESS drive By Jonel Aleccia Hunger won�t take a holiday in Jackson County. For the third straight year, the number of families seeking food boxes spiked in 2000, jumping by more than 26 percent, according to figures from ACCESS Inc. Distributions went out to 17,845 households in 2000, up from 14,157 in 1999. The 1999 figures were up 14 percent from the previous year, matching an equal increase in 1998. That amounts to nearly 47,000 individuals served last year. The continued climb concerns ACCESS organizers, who scramble for the $250,000 it takes to distribute 1.2 million pounds of free food annually. Carlus Harris, director of nutrition services, attributed the increased need to several social factors. "My gut feeling is it�s a combination of things," he said, citing a growing population and fallout from the final stages of federal welfare reform. Jackson County has cut welfare caseloads by nearly half since 1994, but clients� needs remain, Harris said. "The caseloads are down, but it isn�t because they�re doing better, it�s because they got kicked off," he said. To help meet the need, ACCESS is holding its annual spring envelope drive, hoping to achieve a goal of $30,000. That goal has held steady for several years; the closest the agency came to meeting it was in 1999, when Mail Tribune readers donated slightly more than $28,000. Last year, the drive raised nearly $25,000. The drive will run from today through April 15, according to Philip Yates, resources development manager for ACCESS. In addition to readers� donations, the agency will receive continued assistance from the Feinstein International Famine Center at Tufts University. Increasing funds is only one way of addressing hunger, Yates said. ACCESS also has taken steps to make it easier for families to receive help. A previous limit of six food boxes a year has been increased to 12. In addition, families can apply for the Brown Bag program, in which they pay $10 every six months and receive two extra bags of groceries a month. Applicants are also screened to see if they qualify for other area social services. "If they�re having a struggle with food, there�s probably another struggle as well," Yates said. Several incentives for donors are included in this year�s envelope drive campaign. The Mail Tribune is offering a 25 percent credit for private classified advertising, up to a maximum of $25. For example, a reader who donated $100 to ACCESS would receive $25 in free private party classified advertising. People who donate before April 15 will also have the chance to win several prizes donated by local businesses. They include the following: A one-night stay in the executive suite and dinner for two at the Rogue Regency Inn and Si Casa Flores restaurant. A special celebration dinner for 10 at Anna Maria Creekside. "Luxottica" Sergio Tacchini sunglasses from the Medical Eye Center. A three-month membership at Gold�s Gym. A $50 gift certificate to Ed�s Associated Tire Factory. Two tickets to the Oregon Cabaret Theatre. A $200 tax preparation certificate to Kosmatka, Donnelly & Co. Sponsors for the drive, in addition to the Mail Tribune, include Avista Utilities and Reinholdt & O�Harra Insurance. Readers may mail donations to ACCESS Inc., P.O. Box 4666, Medford, OR 97501-9969. ACCESS also accepts donations of food; call 779-6691. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.