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ACCESS food drive needs help Only days before Christmas, and ACCESS Food Share still is shy of its collection goal. Officials are hoping for a late-season rush of donations to meet the growing food needs of Jackson County's poor families. Since the agency's food drive began Nov. 30, 12,500 pounds of food and $14,500 cash for food purchases have been donated. The totals lag behind campaign goals of 25,000 pounds of food and $20,000 cash. The donations would help to keep county food banks' shelves full through April. For every $1 donated to the food drive, ACCESS is able to purchase 5 pounds of food through its food-relief networks. The collection goals reflect a growing demand for food assistance. ACCESS resource development director Philip Yates says that since October, requests for food aid have increased 14 percent over last year. While demand is up, Yates says, the rate of donations seems to be lagging some. He noted, however, that in past years, donations frequently pick up after the holiday season, as people realize that winter food needs are continuing. ACCESS will close Friday for Christmas, and will reopen Monday. Donations may be mailed to ACCESS at P.O. Box 4666, Medford, OR 97501. Those wishing to donate food may bring nonperishable goods to any fire department, Sherm's Thunderbird Market or Food 4 Less, or any of the five churches listed on the outside of grocery bags inserted in the Nov. 30 Mail Tribune. Suggested food items include pasta, beans, rice, peanut butter, canned meats and fish, powdered milk, cereals and infant formula. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA