ACCESS's new pantry, its 33rd, will operate out of the agency’s mobile market.

Next Monday, April 3, ACCESS plans to open a new food pantry at the agency’s main campus at 3630 Aviation Way in Medford. The pantry will be the 33rd in ACCESS’ pantry network that extends throughout the county.

Operated out of the agency’s mobile market, the pantry will open twice a month, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays.

More low-income individuals and families rely on ACCESS food pantries than ever, the agency said in its announcement. In January, ACCESS served more than 10,000 people — a first in its history.

In addition, the end of the federal emergency food stamp boost — a response to the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic — for people enrolled in the SNAP program led some county residents to sign up for ACCESS food services, agency leaders said.

In other news on the food-pantry front, the Mt. Ashland Ski Area will host its annual Ski & Ride Against Hunger Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2.

The event is a food donation drive for ACCESS, Jackson County’s community action agency.

In exchange for five nonperishable, nonexpired food items, participants get a free lift ticket for the day, Mt. Ashland said on its website.

The food will reach people via the ACCESS food pantry network.

ACCESS’ list of suggested items for donation include cereal, hearty soups, canned meat, canned fruit, canned tuna, canned beans, cooking oil, dried beans, pinto beans, canned corn, masa, brown rice, long-grain white rice, plain stewed tomatoes, fruit cocktail, soy milk, canned milk, vegetables, textured vegetable protein, pasta and side dishes such as Rice-A-Roni and Hamburger Helper.