When Community Comes First – A Message from Mayor Hayden:

Do you know that 11.6% of Sumner’s residents rely on the SNAP program? At least, they did in the 2023 Census, and I’m guessing the number likely increased since then. I’m not going to get into the Federal shutdown, and why it’s happening or what should happen. What I’m saying is that we can all set our personal politics aside to agree that at least 11.6% of our residents are facing challenges right now to put food on the table. We can’t just stand by and see that without doing something about it. We checked in with our own Sumner Community Food Bank and the Sumner-Bonney Lake Family Center. Both said they’re seeing an increase in demand for their assistance, and both said they’re completely out of baby formula. Baby formula!

Here’s what we’re doing: I authorized an additional $10,000 to the Sumner Community Food Bank and $1,000 to the Family Center from our Community Partners Fund. We’re also hosting a community-wide drive for formula. You can drop off formula right at City Hall, next to the Toy Drive (there are two boxes), and we’ll deliver all of it to the food bank. Or, you can donate, volunteer and support the Sumner Community Food Bank directly. Yes, there are social media headlines, opinion columns, rants, and clickbait. At the end of the day, there’s also community, and here in Sumner, that comes first. Thank you for your attention, and please give as you can to help our neighbors.

-Mayor Kathy Hayden