We Are Strong As A Community

Kaysville Business Support

In early May several Kaysville residents realized the division being felt here locally and wanted to do something positive. One resident, Jeff Bosen, started doing giveaways on Saturdays mornings on a local Facebook group to “Just add a little happiness to people who needed it.” Another resident, Brandon Barnedt, recognized the need to support our own local businesses during the pandemic and started a Facebook page “I Support Kaysville Businesses” one night out of a desire to turn the contention felt in the city and beyond into something tangible and beneficial. With the help of Tara Esplin and a few other residents who joined together, the group has grown to nearly 2,000 members highlighting Kaysville businesses.

With the month of July looking different than ever before and our city’s traditional events canceled and changed, the group wanted to do something extra special. Together with Bowman’s CFO David Cook and local business wonder Alicia Huntsman, the “I Support Kaysville Businesses” group put together “Bowman’s 31 Days of Giveaways” with daily scavenger hunts around town to find a coveted “Donut Block” – numbered pieces of the Bowman’s butcher block used to make the famous donuts for years. Each day a different business was highlighted and residents scoured the town searching for the hidden block which also included prizes from local businesses and an entry into the grand prize drawing. In addition to the scavenger hunt prizes, hundreds entered the online drawings every week, and businesses felt the direct impact of support.

This event and community collaboration are great examples of how we can support each other and make the best of a difficult situation. And hopefully some new traditions for our city.

Mountain High Food Pantry Fundraiser

Along with challenging times comes added opportunity to help the most vulnerable among us. Mountain High School right here in Kaysville has had its own Food Pantry for over 11 years to provide students with food to take home as well as the skills needed to turn the food into healthy meals to share with their families. The food pantry was emptied at the beginning of the pandemic to send home food to students to last throughout the spring and summer. On the final day of the “Bowman’s 31 Days of Giveaways” our community had a chance to give back and donate to the food pantry with both food and cash donations. Three truckloads of food donations were taken to stock the shelves of the pantry, and along with a generous match from a resident over $12,000 was raised to go directly to students in need. Thank you to our community!

We Are Strong As A Community

Challenging times also provide unparalleled opportunities. This year has presented many challenges for people around the world and right here in our hometown. I have been so impressed by the good things I’ve seen come out of this trying time and want to highlight a few, as well as thank the members of our community for the many acts individual acts of service during this time that may have gone unnoticed but on the whole, are the heart of what makes our city and our neighborhoods a great place to live.

First Responders Freedom Drive

The morning of the 4th of July may have looked very different this year, but the unique celebration is one to be remembered. Our Kaysville Police and Fire Departments put together a “First Responders Freedom Drive” to share some joy and celebration throughout the city. It was humbling to see so many members of the community come out and wave at the police and fire vehicles as they came by, sharing their support through homemade signs, cheers, and smiles. What an incredible place we live in.

Thank you to the community for your support, and to our first responders who have worked to earn that trust through dedicated service to our city.