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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 15, 2006 Click image for larger view ACCESS warehouse coordinator Lola Smart stocks food items received by the agency Thursday. Despite a major donation from the Sherm�s food markets, food banks expect shortages this year in the wake of government cutbacks. (Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli) Hungry for donations ACCESS pantry short on food after 10 percent decrease in surplus commodities By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Despite a 30,000-pound delivery of boxes and cans Thursday, Jackson County's emergency food bank is short on goods for the area's hungry. A decrease in surplus commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture has left ACCESS Inc. with a 10 percent deficit in nonperishable food items since July, said Philip Yates, nutrition programs manager. Thursday's donation from Sherm and Wanda Olsrud and items amassed in the ongoing "Food for Hope" drive won't plug the hole, Yates said. "We're definitely going to be short," Yates said. The federal government reduced its allocation of USDA commodities to Jackson County by 22 percent between April 2005 and May this year, according to the Oregon Food Bank. During the same period, ACCESS distributed 6.5 percent more food boxes. More community contributions are needed to close the gap, Yates said. The Olsruds, owners of Sherm's Thunderbird Markets Inc., came through with a personal donation Thursday that nearly tripled the pounds of food ACCESS' largest food drive collected over the past three weeks. Purchasing from their warehouse, the Olsruds dropped off a semi-truck of staples like Ramen noodles, soup, oatmeal, toilet paper, cereal, pork and beans, pasta and canned vegetables. Advertisement "We've got a lot of hungry people out there," Sherm Olsrud said. Last year's Food for Hope drive generated more than 24,000 pounds of food and $10,000. Cash contributions are encouraged because ACCESS can provide 6 pounds of food or approximately six meals for every dollar donated, Yates said. For those donating food, protein-rich foods are high on ACCESS's wish list. These include peanut butter, canned tuna, canned meat and beans. Sponsored by the Mail Tribune and Sherm's Thunderbird Markets, the 23rd annual "Food for Hope" drive aims to raise 25,000 pounds of food and $25,000 in donations through Dec. 31. Financial contributions for Food for Hope can be made out to ACCESS and sent to P.O. Box 4666, Medford, OR 97501. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com