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Who We Are. The Josephine County PAR project is a collaborative effort among programs, agencies and volunteers throughout the county. Our partnership includes the OSU Master Gardeners Program, the Josephine County Food Bank, Greenleaf Industries, and local agencies such as The ROC,
 FISH, Dorcas (Cave Junction, North Valley, Grants Pass), Lifelines, IV Open Door, Salvation Army, Williams Community Church, Wolf Creek Pantry, Gospel Rescue Mission, St. Vincent de Paul – St. Frederick’s / St. Anne’s, Women’s Crisis Support Team, Boys and Girls Clubs, Coalition for Kids, Crisis Resolution Center, Faith House, LIFT, Oregon Parent Center, Project Baby check, SOASTC, Stepping Stone, Sunny-Wolf Teen Center, The Union, Vineyard Christian Fellowship and YMCA Childcare.
How We Started. Last year the Josephine County Food Bank and partnering agencies delivered over 1.8 million pounds of food and served more than 10,000 people each month – a population that grew by
50% percent from the prior year. Much of the donated supply was out-of-date or otherwise no longer acceptable for retail sale. In particular, significantly more fresh produce was needed. And so Josephine County PAR was introduced, as a way to address increasing numbers of the unemployed, those employed but in need, and shortfalls of viable donations from traditional sources. The response was immediate – individual, small farm, large-grower and other contributors helped fill the important void of fresh produce. The Food Bank created its own garden for the purpose, yielding a remarkable 5,000 pounds of vegetables from a quarter acre plot. Other sources contributed another 6,000 pounds, primarily surplus crop items.
Where We Go From Here. Reflecting on last year’s results, the goal moving forward is to improve the effectiveness of the PAR Program by concentrating on the need for overall coordination with greater participation, more produce to be supplied, donations on a regular schedule, and emphasis on specific “staple” crops. We need 5,000 pounds of local produce donations each month.
In accordance with our program to feed the many we are hoping our food
producers will display this sign on their property. The sign measures
18 x 24 inches and is free .To learn more contact Sam Engel sam.engel@ucancap.org
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
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