May 13, 2026
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ISSUE 20
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Eatonville Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of Public Comment Arrow Lumber Stadium and B.W. Lyon Field Period Opens for Update to County’s Homelessness Response Plan
Board of Directors at Ceremony Submitted
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n Friday, May 1, 2026, the Eatonville community gathered to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of Arrow Lumber Stadium and B.W. Lyon Field, marking the completion of a major investment in student opportunities and community engagement. The ceremony brought together district leaders, elected officials,
community partners, and families to recognize the years of planning, collaboration, and support that made the project possible. Speakers included Superintendent Jay Brower, Senator Jim McCune, Representative Matt Marshall, Scott Robinson from the Recreation and Conservation Office, David Baublits from the Greater Eatonville Community Foundation, Aaron Langberg representing the B.W. Lyon family, and Mayor Emily McFadden. Each shared
reflections on the impact of the new facility and the collective effort behind its development. The program highlighted student involvement and community pride throughout. District choirs performed the National Anthem, American Legion Mt. Tacoma Post 148 presented the colors, and Weyerhaeuser Elementary students energized the crowd with a
RIBBON CUTTING, 4
Eatonville Family Agency Seeks $30K in 30 Days During Hunger Awareness Month Staff Report
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atonville Family Agency is asking the community to help raise $30,000 in 30 days as demand for food, basic resources and family support remains high across Eatonville and southeast Pierce County. The Aid The Agency Goal helps keep the EFA market shelves stocked, supports food distributions, and ensures programs remain available through the year. The annual Aid the Agency campaign runs throughout May, which the organization is recognizing as Eatonville’s Hunger Awareness Month. Funds support the agency’s food bank and programs serving working families, seniors, students and residents facing hardship.
In 2025, Eatonville Family Agency provided more than 187,000 meals, representing an estimated $1.2 million in food value delivered directly to community members. Executive Director Kylee Hutchings said the agency continues to see significant need, especially among working households struggling with basic expenses and seniors living on fixed incomes. Beyond food distribution, EFA provides clothing support, weekend backpack meals for students, holiday food and toy drives, school supplies, help enrolling in DSHS programs, senior activities, community events and referrals to other local resources. As part of the campaign, EFA is holding a monthlong raffle featuring prizes from local businesses. Tickets are $5 each, with the drawing set for June 1. Winners do not need to be present. You can purchase tickets at any Aid the Agency event, or scan the QR code!
EMMY LAY (EFA BOARD PRESIDENT)
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ierce County is opening a 30-day public comment period for its Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness Update (CPEHu), now through June 9, 2026. Community members have multiple ways to provide comments, including public hearings and written testimony. Community members can review the CPEHu and provide written comments at www.piercecountywa.gov/council. Community members may also provide comments at two Health & Human Services Committee (HHS) meetings on Tuesday, May 19, and Tuesday, June 2. The County Council is scheduled to vote on the plan’s adoption on June 9, 2026. What: HHS Public Hearings on proposed updates to the Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness When: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. | Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Where: Pierce County Council Chambers—1501 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98424 Remote Participation is available through Zoom at https://piercecountywa.zoom.us/j/93033053935, or by calling in to (253) 215-8782 using Webinar ID: 930-3305-3935 The Comprehensive Plan to End Homelessness includes goals and strategies to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and does not recur for those who experience it. To meet state requirements and address current economic pressures, the CPEHu introduces several critical improvements, including enhanced accountability for service providers, workforce integration, lived-experience governance, and improved inclement-weather protocols to ensure no one is left in the cold or extreme heat. “Homelessness has multiple causes and requires multiple strategies. Improving access to affordable housing is one of the most critical parts of our comprehensive response to this crisis,” said County Executive Ryan N. Mello. “We are making progress on building more affordable housing units faster, thanks to collaboration with public and private partners and funding from our county’s Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act. We will continue to be aggressive and innovative in our approach because everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home.” In addition to the public comment period, Pierce County Human Services regularly hosts a CPEH Implementation Advisory Board (IAB) meeting on the first Friday of each month, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and you can join these meetings remotely at: https://piercecountywa.zoom.us/j/98249308265. You can also subscribe to receive email updates at: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/list. aspx?ListID=1737. “Addressing homelessness is a collective, community-focused effort, which is why the proposed update is open for a public comment period before any updates are finalized,” said Council Chair Jani Hitchen (District 6). “The Council encourages community members to use this time to review the plan and provide their perspectives.” To learn more about how Pierce County responds to homelessness, visit www.piercecountywa.gov/ homelessplan.
ALLISON BURSLEM ESD COMMUNICATIONS
Pierce County
Doughnut Thief Debbi Austin, arrested by Police Chief Jason LaLiberte at last year’s Aid the Agency Doughnuts with Cops.
FAMILY AGENCY, 3