Groceries for Families: Week 37 - Day 2
You may recall last Wednesday had 40-50 families not come, so we entered today cautiously wondering what would happen. Happily, numbers were back to normal. Whew! Last week hopefully was a one-time occurrence. The line for families was full all afternoon. The morning was busy with people bringing groceries and pantry items in steady waves. It’s so great to see so many happy faces. The weather was better today, with just a touch of rain and no wind. The temperature was cold in the morning but the hands warmed up in the afternoon.
Calvary Chapel Eastside Delivery
24-Seven Delivery
Groceries today were provided by Rotary Club of Bellevue, Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and the Jubilee Friends group, as well as 24-Seven, Bellevue Christian Reformed, Victory Court, Bellevue Presbyterian, Calvary Chapel Eastside, Crossroads Bible, Newport Covenant, Indian Fellowship and St. Louise churches. A total of 243 groceries came in today, which is about 40 more than expected. Wow, thank you for the extra orders. All but 25 went out to families today. Thank you to everyone who donated today. So great!
We picked up purchased produce at Cash & Carry at 7:00am. The food box delivery came at 7:45am. The delivery of eggs came from Costco at 8:15. By 8:30am, all the food was in place. That has never happened so fast! It sure made the rest of the morning easier to plan.
The AM volunteer crew today came from Bellevue Presbyterian. They were busy, busy all morning with groceries and incoming pantry items. They packed the food boxes and got the operation read to go for the afternoon. Thank you, crew!
Eggs Delivery
Spiritridge Elementary Delivery
The International School in Bellevue did their 2nd of 3 drives today for the grocery program. A crew brought over two carloads of food and pantry items this afternoon. Thank you, International!
The PTSA at Spiritridge Elementary did their 1st of 2 drives today for the grocery program. Their crew also brought over two carloads of food and pantry items this afternoon. Thank you, Spiritridge PTSA!
An email from a shopper:
“I want to tell you about what being able to fill a sack of groceries for some unknown family means to me.. I think of that family that will open my sack and see what I have purchased for them.. My entire body fills with happiness.. I can write a check but buying the groceries and bringing my sack makes the effort and project real.. I am so happy I can be part of this.”
An email from a family:
“Many thanks for the food, we are very grateful, thanks to you, we have to eat, we don't have work, thank God and you, Happy Holidays!”
Today’s PM Crew
Thanks for another great day in ‘Groceries for Families’. Hopefully, this email helps keep you connected to what is happening here. There are so many good things to share, as well as the desire to just paint the picture of the daily operation. Two friends came late today to pick up groceries after the main operation finished. One hadn’t come in a few weeks. He was very quiet and very respectful. He simply said, “This food is so good. I don’t have any more at home, so need it. Thank you.” We don’t know his full story. Yet, hearing this is enough to rejoice that he has this place to come to and receive food, as well as hope. Thank you for helping make that possible.
Blessings to you all in this holiday season,
Ken Carpenter
Director- Community Care, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family
