Anderson County EMS challenges community to “Fill the Ambulance” with food and supplies to support local pantry during National EMS Week
GARNETT, KS (May 7, 2025)—Anderson County Hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is collecting donations for ECKAN’s Anderson County Food Pantry, and is challenging the community to give generously–enough non-perishable food and personal hygiene supplies to fill an entire ambulance.
A donation drop-off event will take place on Saturday, May 24 from 9 a.m.–noon in the parking lot at Anderson County Hospital, located at 421 S. Maple Street in Garnett.
An ambulance will be parked near the hospital’s main entrance, making it easy to drive-thru and drop-off donations. Paramedics and EMTs will team up with ECKAN staff to greet participants and help load donated items into the ambulance.
“Our department already does a lot for the community,” says Aaron Mayo, a paramedic with Anderson County EMS who is leading the effort, “but we wanted to do more, something that would directly benefit local families who struggle with the most basic everyday needs.”
“I have family and friends who have needed extra help in the past, and I have too,” he shared. “Helping others with food insecurity is something I’m passionate about, and challenging the community to fill an entire ambulance with donations is a great way to use our department resources and connections to make a big impact.”
“It will be fun to watch the ambulance fill up,” says Aaron. “We haven’t done the math to estimate how many items will fit in there, but it’s a lot, and it will all go to help a lot of Anderson County families.”
As part of the drop-off event, several partnering agencies will be onsite to show their support and showcase other critical emergency response vehicles, including the Anderson County Fire Department, Garnett Fire Department, Anderson County Sherriff’s Office, Garnett Police Department, and LifeSave 21 air medical transport from Emporia. Everyone is invited to visit with first responders and explore the emergency equipment up close with no donation required.
“The Saturday morning drop-off event wraps up our National EMS Week celebration,” Aaron says, “and it will be a great way to end the week.”
National EMS Week is observed annually during the third full week of May. Anderson County EMS hopes to make this “Fill the Ambulance” event with ECKAN part of their annual celebration.
Those unable to attend this year’s drop-off event can bring donations to Anderson County Hospital by Friday, May 23 to be included in the challenge. For questions or to make special pick-up arrangements, call Anderson County EMS at 785-204-7195.
All donations will go to help re-stock the pantry at the ECKAN Anderson County Community Center in Garnett. The center moved to a new location earlier this year and staff are working to re-build the inventory and variety of goods.
“Our pantry receives recovered items from retailers like Walmart and Price Chopper but relies heavily on community donations to help fill the gap,” says Brandi Lopez, an assistant director of community services block grant operations at ECKAN. “We have empty shelves that still need restocked after our move, and an ambulance full of food and other supplies would be an amazing benefit for the community. We’re thrilled to partner with Anderson County EMS on this ‘Fill the Ambulance’ challenge.”
ECKAN’s Anderson County Community Center, located at 1006 S. Hayes St. in Garnett, holds a walk-in distribution from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month, and fulfills other requests by appointment. Proof of income and county residency may be required. Please call 785-242-7450, ext. 7651 to learn more about food and other assistance programs available through ECKAN.