Inspired by friends from the Sumner teachers’ union and other local associations, the White River Education Association (WREA) redirected money it planned to use for travel and attendance at its annual assembly into a one-time donation to help those in need across the White River School District community.

“We know that the local food bank in Buckley does so much for our small community including our families and many students,” WREA President Kristen Montieth said. “We felt this was a great way to help out in this difficult time.”

Montieth, along with WREA Vice President Dameon Marlow and Treasurer Amanda Burbank, dropped off a check with the Buckley Kiwanis Food Bank April 22. Food Bank Co-Managers Jolene Meyers and Donna Garland, who accepted the check while helping families on delivery day, said the $3,550 donation will go a long way to feeding local families hit hard by the economic repercussions of coronavirus.

Each spring, the WREA sends representatives to the Washington Education Association Representative Assembly, where more than 1,000 teachers gather to take care of union business. Like many large gatherings, the meeting, scheduled for April 16-18 in Spokane, was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.