Fallon’s First Responders Collect Nearly 24,000 Pounds of Food in Annual Community Challenge

Fallon answered the call again this year and answered big.

The ninth annual First Responders Food Drive wrapped with a massive 23,760 pounds of food collected, continuing a tradition of service that has become one of the community’s most generous holiday efforts. With this year’s totals added in, Fallon’s first responders have now gathered 198,334 pounds of food over the past nine years, inching steadily toward the 200,000-pound milestone organizers have been chasing.

This year’s breakdown shows just how hard each agency worked:

• Churchill County Sheriff’s Office: 6,600 pounds
• Fallon Police Department: 3,080 pounds
• Fallon Volunteer Fire Department: 3,280 pounds
• Banner Churchill EMS: 4,600 pounds
• Search and Rescue: 4,660 pounds.
• Battle Born Air Rescue: 1,480 pounds.

The friendly rivalry between agencies remains alive and well, but the real win goes to the community. All donations benefit Out of Egypt, helping local families facing food insecurity during the holidays.

The event, held in front of Walmart every year, brought out steady crowds of donors, kids waving at engines and patrol trucks, and first responders who spent the day hauling cases of cans and boxed goods from carts to scales. One unexpected bonus: Toys for Tots collected more than a dozen cases of toys during the drive, adding another layer of generosity to the day.

Organizers credited local businesses for keeping spirits and energy high. Telegraph Coffee and Stone Cabin Coffee kept volunteers warm and caffeinated; Port of Subs and Woody’s donated food; and Walmart not only hosted the event but also contributed additional donations. Golden Gate again provided its facility for the official weigh-ins, and Fallon Sign created a fresh, updated event sign that volunteers say drew new attention from shoppers.

Corporal Mike Hardin of the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office, who coordinated this year’s effort, said the agencies look forward to the event every year. “It’s one of those days where everyone’s on the same team,” he said. “The competition is fun, but the mission is what matters.”

And judged by this year’s outcome, Fallon understands that mission well.