In Other News
Starbucks grant to food bank, political rally at GC Museum, school board vacancy.
Food bank receives Starbucks grant
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Food Bank has received a $1,000 “Neighborhood Grant” from The Starbucks Foundation in recognition of its work to address hunger and food insecurity in the Ephrata area.
The grant was awarded following a nomination from a local Starbucks partner with firsthand awareness of the food bank’s significance to the community.
“This grant will support the purchase of canned fruit and vegetables which will be a welcome addition to our weekly distribution. We are so grateful to the employees at Starbucks who not only nominated us but have been great community partners,” Ephrata Food Bank director Phyllis Fuglie said in a press statement.
Since the 1960s, food bank volunteers, donors, and contributing businesses and organizations have helped alleviate food insecurity for local residents. Annually, the Ephrata nonprofit provides about 260,000 pounds of commodities and serves over 6,000 families.
The Starbucks Foundation welcomes partner-led nominations in determining grants to nonprofits and charities that make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve. Since 2019, the foundation has funded more than 19,000 grants totaling over $30 million across North America.
More information can be viewed at About Starbucks.
Old Time Political Rally
EPHRATA — The Grant County Historical Museum will host its traditional Old Time Political Rally on Wednesday, July 22, in advance of the Aug. 4 primary election.
Voters can learn more about candidates on the ballot for Grant County races. Invitations have also been extended to candidates seeking election in the 4th Congressional District and the state’s 13th Legislative District.
Admission is free. Gates open at 5 p.m. with candidate speeches beginning at 6 p.m. Each candidate will have five minutes for their presentation. Organizers expect the outdoor rally to conclude by 7:30 p.m.
Seating is limited. Those attending are advised to bring their own chair and, with hot weather anticipated, perhaps a hat and umbrella for shade.
The candidates have been asked to furnish non-alcoholic beverages, and the local American Legion will be grilling hot dogs for a nominal fee.
For more information, call or text Mike Montaney at 509-989-4417.
Ephrata School Board vacancy
EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District is accepting applications from persons interested in filling a vacancy on its five-member board of directors following the departure of member Jim Adams, who resigned effective June 30.
Prospective candidates must be U.S. citizens, qualified voters, and reside within the boundaries of Director District No. 4. The district includes a portion of southwest Ephrata city limits, but is mostly rural extending from Sagebrush Flats Road south to Interstate 90. Additional information including a detailed description of the boundary is available on the school district website and from the district office.
Applicants seeking appointment must submit a statement describing why they want to serve on the board, along with their biographical information or a resume. Neither statement should exceed one typewritten page. The application deadline is 3 p.m. on Friday, July 24.
Candidate interviews will be conducted in August, with the selected appointee to be seated at the school board’s Aug. 24 meeting. The position will be up for election on the November 2027 ballot.
