Ephrata Fire Department Holds 6th Annual Rolling Food Drive

The Ephrata Fire Department will be collecting non perishable food items and toiletry donations December 11 and 12 from 6-8. Instead of the typical stationary food drive, Ephrata firefighters will be in their fire engines, rolling through neighborhoods with lights flashing and Christmas music playing to prompt folks to take their donations to the curb.

The mobile food drive was stemmed from a former volunteer's suggestion - she had grown up in a town that had a similar donation collection style from its fire department.

"She suggested we start that as a way to give back to our community in a different way than just responding to emergencies," said Chief Jeremy Burns. "Typically in the past, we provided a donation to the local food bank via a check from our Ephrata Firefighters Association, but this just spurred a different response from us and our community supported it really well."

According to Burns, some of the more needed items include special dietary items, such as for gluten intolerance, that are a bit different than the usual food drive suspects. He also emphasized that toiletry items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste aren't traditional food drive items either, but are needed as well.

The fire engines will travel through northeast and southeast areas Wednesday evening and northwest and southwest areas Thursday evening. Donations are also being accepted at the fire station until Friday.