First Responders' Food Drive Breaks Record

When the dust cleared Sunday afternoon after a busy morning at Walmart and a procession to the scales at Golden Gate, the final tally was made, and a new record was set for the First Responders’ Food Drive. Between the Churchill County Sheriff, City of Fallon Police Department, Fallon/Churchill Fire Department, Search and Rescue, and Banner EMS, a whopping 28,180 pounds of food and water were gathered to help the needy in our community. 

“You all put up with our shenanigans and our disruption of your day,” organizer Beth Riley said. “The support and generosity of this community never ceases to amaze me. During a year where absolutely everything is more expensive our community came out in force.” 

Now in its ninth year, the First Responders’ Food Drive is held on the first Sunday of December, and plans for next year’s event are underway. But this year, Riley wasn’t sure how things were going to go.

“When I woke up, I was worried that our newest addition, Care Flight, wouldn’t be able to land due to the fog. I know the safety of the crew is our priority. At 10:30, during weigh-in, we got the final go-ahead, and the fog had lifted enough to bring in the helicopter,” Riley said, “People love to see them. It’s always a big deal when a large part of a parking lot is cautioned taped off.” 

She was also worried about the turnout and whether they would meet their goal. “This year felt really slow. The air just felt different. I was discouraged midway through. I didn’t feel like we were getting the turnout like we normally get midway. Boy, was I wrong. I should know better. Our community comes together like no other.” 

After weighing everyone at the Golden Gate scales, Riley said she and the store manager were overcome. “Not only did we beat our goal of 25,000 pounds of food and water, but we also surpassed it. In 2020 we raised 27,260 pounds, but then our numbers were slowly going down each year – in 2021 25,600, in 2022 it was 24,040, and last year 23,666.” 

This year, the First Responders gathered 28,180 pounds of food and water that will go directly to feed the local community. The Sheriff’s Department was victorious in winning the coveted trophy with 10,160 pounds; second was the Fallon Police Department with 7,220; the Fire Department came in at 4,540, Search and Rescue with 3,460, and Banner EMS with 2,800. “In nine years, we have raised 174,634 pounds of food,” Riley said. 

Riley said she is so grateful to the community for all the support given to this event. “Thank you to Walmart for letting us take over your parking lot for the day. We also want to thank Golden Gate; every year, they let us use their scales. And Out of Egypt. Without them, this would not be possible.” 

Sheriff Richard Hickox also thanked the community and Riley. “Beth Riley, we thank you for your vision, your drive, and your commitment to getting this great event started and keeping it going each year. We live in a great community, and this is just one more shining example of that.”