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Summer brings increased need for food By Mail Tribune Editorial Board Jun 12, 2022 12:00 AM A A We normally write this kind of editorial around Thanksgiving, to encourage support for ACCESS Inc.’s annual holiday food drive. But these are not normal times. Supply-chain disruptions and the rising cost of food and gasoline are putting the squeeze on the nonprofit agency as well as the low-income residents it serves. ACCESS reports demand for food assistance increased 38% over the first five months of the year compared with last year. At the same time, the beginning of summer vacation means children are no longer getting the free- and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches they receive at school. As the need increases, ACCESS is feeling the pinch, too. Food is more expensive to purchase and the agency’s trucks more costly to operate as fuel prices rise. ACCESS is responding by asking the community to help out with cash donations. Addressed envelopes are included in copies of today’s newspaper to make it easy to send a check. The agency has set a goal of $25,000 in donations. If the goal is reached, it will pay for 100,000 meals because of ACCESS’s ability to purchase four meals for every dollar donated. ACCESS food programs serve 1 in 5 Jackson County residents. Of those, 21% are children. If you’d rather not mail a check, it’s easy to donate online at accesshelps.org/donate . But do help if you can. Rising costs are affecting everyone, but some are able to absorb the increases more easily than others. Seniors and families already struggling to make ends meet don’t have any breathing room in their budgets. And even small donations make a difference. Rogue Valley residents have always been generous toward those who need a helping hand. We are confident the community will step up this time as well, and we’re pleased to play a part in helping make that happen. For more information on ACCESS programs, where to find food pantries and how to sign up for food assistance, visit accesshelps.org/food-pantry-network/ .