County food agency sees shortages ahead.

Byline: Whitney Malkin The Register-Guard

Depleted support from national and state organizations has sliced FOOD for Lane County's donations in half - leaving the agency wondering where it will find food to feed local families.

"Our warehouse is barer than it has ever been," said Deb McGeorge, a food solicitor for FOOD for Lane County. "It's a very scary time."

Last year, the agency distributed more than 7 million pounds of food to area residents.

But this year, directors say cuts from organizations such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Food Bank network mean that FOOD for Lane County doesn't have enough food to fill its pending orders, a shortage that is likely to cause the local food bank to change the way it does business.

"We're going to have to start telling people no," says McGeorge. "We just don't have the food - we're going to have to cut back."

Locally, farms, grocery stores and manufacturers supply FOOD for Lane County with almost half of its donations, something that Ron Detwiler, FOOD for Lane County's operations manager, says makes the agency extremely fortunate.

"Here in Lane County, we have a wonderful community," he said. "It's important that people realize this shortage isn't because the community is slacking off. We're facing cuts in other areas."

Detwiler explained that while fall is traditionally a low giving season, cutbacks have made it even more difficult to make ends meet at an already difficult time of year.

In the past four years, USDA contributions to the Oregon programs have dropped 52 percent, the equivalent of more than 6 million pounds of food.

In-state donations are suffering as well, as a result of decreasing food industry donations and recalls of donated products.

Detwiler says he hopes that FOOD for Lane County, which provided assistance to more than 80,000 Lane County residents last year, can tackle the seemingly large problem on the local level - to ensure that it continues to provide residents with services they depend on.

"If people are in the mind set to do something to help, now would be a good time to do it," he said. "For those that are already supporting us, we're asking them to step up and dig a little deeper."

For local residents, McGeorge says help can come in the form of a food drive, a monetary donation, or simply by going to see a movie.

Slated for Thursday, the agency's next food drive allows patrons to see a movie and enjoy a free small popcorn at the Regal Cinemas at the Valley River Center, in exchange for a donation of three cans of food.

The Cans Film Festival, now in its 27th year, has been a popular event within the community, and one McGeorge says she hopes will help balance the food deficit.

"It's a great opportunity for the public to come out and help us when we really need it drastically," said McGeorge. "We're in a really tragic state right now and we need to work closely with local partners if we're going to close the gap."

FOOD DRIVE

FOOD for Lane County's next food drive is the Cans Film Festival.

What: Donate three cans of food, see a movie and get a free small popcorn.

Where: Regal Cinemas, Valley River Center.

When: All day Thursday.