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Marysville council hears from teen founders of Mad Love Community Fridge
Summary
Two Marysville eighth-graders described how their Mad Love Community Fridge, started at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, has expanded to serve seniors and become a nonprofit; they asked the council to consider sponsoring a month in 2026 and help raise the projects visibility.
Adalie Burns and Mia Bumps, who said they founded the Mad Love Community Fridge while eighth-graders at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, told the Marysville City Council on Feb. 3 that the youth-led program provides fresh produce with no application or questions.
"We believe that fresh food is a right, not a privilege," said Adalie Burns, describing how the program relies on weekly checks by the founders and monthly sponsor organizations to keep the fridge stocked.
Mia Bumps said the project expanded last summer to Dade Street Senior Village, a 50-unit affordable housing community for residents 62 and older, so people with mobility or transportation challenges could access fresh food nearby. "The community fridge became more than just a place to get food. It became a signal symbol of dignity, independence, and community care," Bumps said.
The presenters said sponsors sign up to stock and maintain the fridge for a month at a time, and that donations come from farms, stores, backyard gardens and partners such as Grocery Outlet in Yuba City. They said Mad Love has incorporated as a nonprofit and plans to open two food pantries in the Yuba City and Plumas Lake areas and add another fridge.
Mayor Chris Branska praised the students and urged community support. "You are very impressive, young ladies," he said, and asked how the council or individual members could contribute; Burns requested sponsorships for 2026 and help increasing the group's visibility.
Council members and staff suggested local partners and outreach options, and council members invited the presenters to provide contact details so interested residents and businesses could contribute. The council did not take formal action on the request at the meeting; presenters were given time to make follow-up contacts with staff and community partners.
