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Food drive turns up too little, agency says A call to replenish the stocks of local food banks is so far being met mostly with silence, a program coordinator said. ACCESS's Food Share program is seeing a large increase in the number of people coming for food, but a food drive hasn't met the need, said Ben Benjamin, coordinator of the largest network of food pantries in Jackson County. "I'm disappointed that people didn't take this to heart to do their own in-house drives," Benjamin said. "Even any business with five or 10 employees can help us get over this." Benjamin sent out a notice to more than 80 Rogue Valley churches more than a week ago, asking them to collect food on this Sunday. Only a single church had responded by Thursday, he said. "Maybe this came on too suddenly to churches," Benjamin said. "Perhaps that was too short of a notice for a church to get on board with the food sharing." ACCESS Food Share helps more than 1,200 Jackson County households a month receive emergency food supplies. The program needs nonperishable items such as cereals, canned meats, pastas, canned vegetables and fruits, peanut butter and rice. ACCESS's 15 pantry sites gave out 1,162 food bags in August, a 20 percent increase over August 1998, Benjamin said. The program also saw a 14 percent increase over the last two fiscal years, Benjamin said. The fiscal year ends on June 30. Other food banks in the community also are reporting a growing number of people coming in for food. Benjamin said he didn't know exactly why there has been an increase in need. "I just think it's that many more people -- even if they're working -- who just can't meet the expenses of the house and the family," he said. The program will continue its push for more food and Benjamin said that people can call the program to find out the nearest pantry they can donate to. The program is also organizing a drive with schools. Benjamin said he's not giving up on help from the churches. "It's not too late for a church to be a part" of this drive on Sunday, Benjamin said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA