GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The Josephine County Food Bank is feeling the effects of recent cuts to federal funding, which are beginning to impact its ability to serve the local community. According to warehouse manager Matt Stevens, the food bank has already noticed a significant decrease in inventory as of the beginning of this month, largely due to a reduction in the delivery of dry goods.
Stevens also expressed concerns about future shipments, anticipating further shortages in produce and meat supplies. As a result, the food bank is bracing for a difficult road ahead as it works to meet the needs of the county’s most vulnerable populations.
“We’ve already started seeing less come in, and it’s going to get harder,” Stevens said. “If we couldn’t give out food, there’s a lot of people who would just have to go without. And they’re already going without as it is. That’s why they come to us.”
To mitigate the effects of the funding cuts, Stevens shared that the food bank is planning to launch several fundraising campaigns aimed at increasing community support. The organization is hopeful that, with enough help, it will be able to continue providing for the thousands of families who rely on it.
“Moving forward, we’re just going to have to wait a little bit, cross our fingers, and do what we can to maintain the funding we have. We’re also exploring other avenues for fundraising,” Stevens explained.
The Josephine County Food Bank has long been a critical lifeline for residents, with an estimated one in five people in the county receiving assistance from its services. However, as federal aid continues to shrink, it faces the challenge of meeting growing demand with fewer resources.
As the situation becomes more urgent, the food bank is encouraging the community to contribute through donations of food, money, or time. The organization remains hopeful that, through collective effort, it will be able to weather this storm and continue supporting the county’s most at-risk populations.
For those interested in helping, the Josephine County Food Bank welcomes donations and assistance at any time.