In Other News
EPHRATA FOOD BANK TAKING REQUESTS FOR HOLIDAY BASKETS
EPHRATA – Requests for Christmas food baskets and holiday gifts for kids are being accepted by the Ephrata Food Bank.
Local families in need can call the food bank at 509-754-5772 and leave a message with their name and phone number, or sign up in person on Mondays and Thursdays between 2-4 p.m.
Requests for both baskets and gifts must be received by Monday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. while requests for food basket only must be received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Distribution is planned from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St. S.W.
The food bank is located at 1010 A St. S.E.
GRANT COUNTY AWARDS OVER $1M FOR TOURISM IN 2026
EPHRATA – Grant County commissioners have approved just over $1 million in funding to be shared by 29 organizations for promotion of over four dozen local tourism-related campaigns, events, and projects in 2026.
The allocations were recommended by the county’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee based on reviews of qualified applications submitted by the sponsors.
The various grants are funded by revenues collected through a state tax on motels, hotels, and campgrounds to support activities which bring visitors to Grant County and result in overnight stays. The tourism-promotion monies must be utilized within provisions of state law, which include specific reporting requirements.
Grant amounts range from $1,000 for single-day events upward to $332,552 for year-round promotion efforts by the tourism committee itself. Similarly, the chambers of commerce in Ephrata, the Grand Coulee area, Moses Lake, and Quincy each received $30,000 for year-round promotion of community events.
Activities slated for next year include fishing tournaments, rodeos, theater productions and musical concerts, mud truck competitions, an air show, a car show, a junior golf tournament, power boat races, folk festivals, the county fair, and more.
County commissioners are in the process of signing individual agreements with all the selected recipients. They can be viewed, along with funding amounts and planned events, on pages 17-20 of the commissioners’ consent agenda for the week of Nov. 3-7.
Upcoming events in the near future can be seen on the county’s community calendar.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE SLATED DEC. 17
EPHRATA — The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin S.W.
Red Cross officials say all blood types are needed. Anyone age 17 or older, weighing 110 pounds or more, and in good general health is a potential donor.
An appointment can be scheduled by calling 1-800-733-2767 or online at www.redcrossblood.org. A pre-donation “Rapid Pass” questionnaire can also be completed on the website. Prospective donors should bring personal identification and donor cards, or download the Blood Donor App on their smart phones.
