Bank donations

Kitsap Bank has donated $15,000 to local nonprofits as part of the bank’s mission to “cause good in the communities it serves.”

For every hour that Kitsap Bank employees volunteered in 2022, the bank donated money to a nonprofit of their choice. Employees volunteered over 2,700 hours.

Benefactors of Kitsap Bank’s MAD (Making a Difference) For Our Community program include: Bremerton Foodline, Central Kitsap Food Bank, Coffee Oasis, Housing Resources Bainbridge, Kitsap Mental Health Services, Martha & Mary Meals on Wheels Kitsap, North Kitsap Fishline and Washington Women in Need.

Kitsap Bank also provided over $400,000 in financial support to more than 100 area nonprofits in 2022 through the Bank’s Community Connections program, and hosted 10 “From Shred to Fed” events around the region in September and October. Those events raised over $18,000 for local food banks. Over the past five years, Kitsap Bank has invested well over $2.2 million back into the community through sponsorships, donations and volunteer activities.

Utility discount

The Port Orchard City Council has voted in favor of a low-income discount utility program intended to help offset rising costs for those most in need.

The program will provide a 25% discount off the fixed base rate for water, sewer and storm utilities. Consumption rates will not be eligible under the discount, meaning additional costs for water will be based on current tiers. The discount will apply to residents within the city whose household income falls under 125% of the U.S. Census Department’s poverty threshold at the time of application. Households must apply with the city.

Councilmember Shawn Cucciardi said he would be interested in a future update in about six months on the program’s effectiveness to determine how many people are using it and if more can be done to help.