EPHRATA – The Ephrata Fire Department's annual "Touch a Truck" event Saturday drew a crowd despite early rain showers, as community members visited the Splash Zone parking lot to engage with a variety of large vehicles. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., served as both a fun outing for families and a fundraiser for the Ephrata Food Bank. 

Fire Chief Jeremy Burns said he was satisfied with the turnout. 

"I was a little worried that attendance wouldn't be as high this year with the weather that we had this morning, but it exceeded my expectations greatly,” Burns said. “It takes a lot of agencies to commit their time, people and equipment to this event, and seeing the community come out is always rewarding." 

The participation of various local agencies contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the event.  

"We had the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Ephrata Police Department, and numerous fire districts, including Grant County Fire Districts 3, 7 and 13,” Burns said. “It's a great collaborative effort that truly showcases the strength of our community." 

While the event's primary goal is to allow children and families to explore emergency vehicles up close, it also played a crucial role in supporting the Ephrata Food Bank this year.  

"Every bit helps the food bank, and our Firefighters Association often matches the monetary donations we receive,” Burns said. “Today, we've also had school district partners collecting supplies, which has been great." 

The food bank, a resource for families facing food insecurity in the Ephrata community, struggles with dwindling supplies amid increased demand. Director Phyllis Fuglie shared the challenges the food bank currently faces.  

"We could traditionally provide two types of meat per family, but now we are down to one. The need is significant, and we are calling on the community for donations, particularly for protein-rich foods, canned goods, and essentials," she said in a recent interview. 

The relationship between the food bank and community events like "Touch a Truck" is critical, according to Ephrata Mayor Bruce Reim. 

"We support the food bank wholeheartedly. It’s a great program that is always in need,” Reim said. “Events like this play an essential role in making sure the community understands the importance of supporting local resources. It is also fun to see all of the kids enjoying themselves. This is one of our best events every year.”  

Despite the earlier adverse weather conditions, the turnout was impressive, reaching an estimated 2,500 attendees, according to Burns.  

"It's always good to see the interaction between families and young kids enjoying the vehicles,” Burns said. “It's exciting to witness how many people take the time to come out and appreciate our emergency services." 

For families, the event is both entertaining and educational. In addition to being able to touch a variety of trucks, attendees participated in activities like temporary tattoos and fire prevention information tables.  

A dedicated sensory-sensitive hour provided a more comfortable environment for children with sensory processing challenges, enabling them to enjoy the festivities without overwhelming stimuli. 

Burns reflected on the event's history and growth over the years.  

"We've been hosting Touch a Truck for about a decade now, and it always reinforces the spirit of the community,” Burns said. “It's remarkable to see everyone converge here for a common purpose: to learn and to help those in need." 

The success of "Touch a Truck" relies on community participation and support, which for Ephrata continues to grow year after year.  

"It just keeps getting bigger and bigger by leaps and bounds,” Reim said. “We're thrilled with the growth and the involvement of outside organizations." 

As the day concluded, hopes remained high for the future of both the event and the Ephrata Food Bank. The community’s generous donations are more crucial than ever, ensuring that the food bank can continue to meet the needs of families in the area. With hands-on learning opportunities and joyous interactions among attendees, “Touch a Truck” positively impacts the Ephrata community beyond the day itself.  

Those wishing to help the Ephrata Food Bank can drop off donations during Mondays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. or involve themselves in ongoing events that benefit local families in need.  

Ephrata Food Bank 
1010 A St. SE
509-754-5772
Monday and Thursday
2-4 p.m.   

Biggest needs:
Protein: meat, peanut butter, protein bars, nuts, beans
Pasta
Soups
Microwavable meals
Fresh produce
All food donations or cash welcomed and appreciated. 

    Jason Bomhold, a bus driver with the Ephrata School District, was on hand to represent the school district at the event and gather donations for the Ephrata Food Bank.
  

    Avah swings on the crane with the help of a volunteer at the Ephrata Touch a Truck event Saturday.
  

    Jax, left and Beau, right, jump in puddles during the Touch a Truck event Saturday. The event started off with a downpour in the morning, but the children made the best of it.
  

    Children could come up and spin for prizes after they visited all of the vehicles and got their punch card stamped.
  

    Liberty got in the Grant County Sheriff’s Office four-wheeler and gave the horn a good honk.
  

    Several children got in the Grant County Sheriff’s Office boat, each taking turns “driving" it.