(This post is reprinted from a message sent to the donors and volunteers of the Ashland Food Project from Amey Broeker, Director of the Ashland Community Food Bank)
Our community is fed because of your kind action! Thank you!!!!! ACFB has been independent and fortunate to remain vibrant because of the generosity of friends and neighbors for 53 years.
ACFB is committed and actively strategizing to best meet the coming wave of need. We are grateful for the bedrock of your support.
Out of sincere concern for our ability to meet the needs of our community, many are asking if we are being impacted by executive orders and federal funding cuts. I thought I would take this opportunity to share how ACFB fits into the current landscape. Thankfully, we have zero dependence on federal dollars. We are in a “stable” position, for now, compared to many.
However, anything that impacts access to food, affects food costs, job security, and/or cost of living, will have an impact on how many people need our help. For example, when SNAP (food stamps) benefits were reduced 2 years ago as COVID relief programs expired, we saw a 100% increase in demand within 30 days, and food insecurity has been climbing ever since.
Out of sincere concern for our ability to meet the needs of our community, many are asking if we are being impacted by executive orders and federal funding cuts. I thought I would take this opportunity to share how ACFB fits into the current landscape. Thankfully, we have zero dependence on federal dollars. We are in a “stable” position, for now, compared to many.
However, anything that impacts access to food, affects food costs, job security, and/or cost of living, will have an impact on how many people need our help. For example, when SNAP (food stamps) benefits were reduced 2 years ago as COVID relief programs expired, we saw a 100% increase in demand within 30 days, and food insecurity has been climbing ever since.
Therefore, the program cuts made by our federal administration will eventually affect ACFB. In late March, the Trump administration put a halt to 500 million federal dollars of food deliveries committed to food banks nationally. In this, the Oregon Food Bank lost food that supplies ACCESS (among other agencies), who serve Southern Oregon/Ashland/Talent. The administration plans to cut SNAP and WIC (feeds low income women w children), undermine housing security with cuts to HUD, threatening Medicare, and many other social services. As safety nets thin, economic disparity grows increasing need.
As identified by the United Way, 44% of Ashlanders do not have the opportunity to earn enough, despite being employed, to meet foundational costs of living. In addition, nearly 18% live below the poverty line. Many in our community need help affording basic expenses so they can show up for their job (transportation childcare), and have a roof over their heads. When we provide food, funds can then be used for critical expenses like rent, childcare and healthcare.
ACFB is very fortunate to have the foundation of Ashland Food Project. And as you are hearing, we will be impacted as many in our community struggle with greater economic disadvantage because of federal actions.
ACFB is committed and actively strategizing to best meet the coming wave of need. We are grateful for the bedrock of your support.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” ~Helen Keller
