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ACCESS still seeks food, funds With just 10 days until Christmas, ACCESS Food Share is about 60 percent short of its goal of collecting 25,000 pounds of food during this year's grocery bag drive. About 10,000 pounds of food have been collected since the drive began Nov. 30, when 28,000 grocery bags were delivered inside copies of that day's Mail Tribune. Organizers had hoped those bags would come back with enough food not only to feed the poor during the holidays, but to supplement the organization's food banks through April. "If we don't reach our goal we may run out as early as February," said Philip Yates, ACCESS resource development director. Cash donations have fared better, with $10,888 coming in toward ACCESS's goal of raising $20,000. ACCESS can buy five pounds of food for every dollar donated. Those wishing to donate food may bring non-perishable goods to any fire department, Sherm's Thunderbird Market or Food 4 Less, or any of the five churches listed on the outside of the inserted grocery bags. Suggested food items include pasta, beans, rice, peanut butter, canned meats and fish, powdered milk, cereals and infant formula. Cash donations may be mailed to ACCESS at 3630 Aviation Way, Medford, OR 97504. Yates is confident ACCESS will meet its goals this year. "This community is amazing," he said. "When you ask and there truly is a need, people respond." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA