Sumner Merchants Give Back to Charities

As in most small towns, Sumner merchants always encourage residents to shop locally. They appreciate the support, and today they are going to give back.

From 5 to 8 p.m., about 80 percent of businesses downtown will participate in Sumner Merchants Give Back. Many of the stores will donate a portion of the money they make on sales during that time to charity.

The idea came from a similar event business owner Luann Iselin of A Picket Fence did in April. She plans to donate 20 percent of her sales tonight, or at least $100, to the Sumner Food Bank.

She decided on that charity because it directly benefits residents of Sumner, and it is a nonprofit that depends on cash donations.

“I think it’s an outstanding way to give back,” she said. “Any of us could be wealthy one minute and knocking on doors the next. And we can’t live without food.”

Iselin and other merchants are working on the event with the Downtown Sumner Association, said not all of the businesses are donating to local charities; it’s “a personal thing,” she said.

Sumner Merchants Give Back is not the only thing businesses are planning this week. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., they are planning the Merchants Sidewalk Sale.