Groceries for Families: Week 3 - Day 6
April 11, 2020
The canopies came out today for the first time in over a week, with light rain off and on all morning. The store area was very full with extra food from having box lunches out there the past two days. People had lots to choose from.
Groceries were delivered today by Evangelical Chinese and Bellevue Presbyterian. There were 90 families on the list, with all but 15 showing up. Often on Saturday, some forget the AM slot and end up coming Monday, so we may see them then. One delivery was done to a home.
The Easter gifts all went out today. Lots of the groceries had Easter cards, candy and chocolate. Thank you for adding so much the last three days for Easter.
Today is day 18, the last day of week 3. It’s hard to believe. We’re not measuring this program by numbers, but here are some fun stats for you:
Program Days: 18
Families currently in the program: 270+
People in these families: 1215 (approximate)
Grocery orders delivered: 1090
Churches & Organizations engaged: 19
Different shoppers participating: 500 (approximate)
One story to share with you:
“To begin I want to give thanks on behalf of my family and friends. The work you are doing is beautiful. We are all blessed. We thank you with all our heart for your support. This situation happening in the world is unsual but we will keep moving forward. We will keep moving forward. Our lives changed since we arrived to this country. The people are beautiful and kind. Sometimes though, people criticize the reason we arrived to live in this country. In my case, we didn't have another option because I suffered threats that were directed toward my daughter. Obviously, a mother would not let this kind of situation happen that would put her kids in danger. In my country, the corruption is first and I know they would not help us. That is why we decided to come here. Our world changed because people are kind, they help without thinking about what a person looks like or their origin. My daughter is now 7 years old and very happy. We are very happy. We thank you with all our heart. From our behalf, we do not have money because we do not have a job, my partner and I... but we will try to help a little. The gifts you give us with your love, we try to divide it in two parts and together, little by little we pass it along within our community. Where one family eats, two families can eat 🙂 I thank you for everything. You guys are incredible.”
“Para empezar les quiero dar las gracias por parte de mi familia y mis amigos. El labor de ustedes es maravilloso. Nosotros estamos bendecidos. Les agradecemos de todo corazón su apoyo. Esta situación qué pasa en el mundo es insólita pero saldremos adelante. Saldremos adelante. Nuestra vida cambio desde que llegamos al país, las personas son lindas y amables. Hay veces las personas critican el por qué llegamos a vivir a este país. En mi caso nosotros no nos quedó más remedio ya que sufría amenazas las cuales iban dirigidas a mi hija. Obviamente una madre no dejará pasar la situación si uno de sus hijos está en peligro. En mi país la corrupción es primero y sabia que no nos ayudarían. Así que decidimos venir aquí. Nuestro mundo cambio por que la gente es amable, ayudan sin importar el físico y el origen. Mi hija ahora tiene 7 años y es muy feliz. Somos felices. Les agradecemos de todo corazón. POSDATA: de nuestra parte no tenemos dinero por qué no tenemos trabajo mi pareja y yo... pero tratamos de ayudar un poco. La mercancía que ustedes nos dan con su amor nosotros tratamos de dividirla en dos partes y juntar poco a poco para dárselos a la comunidad. Donde come una familia pueden comer dos😊. Les agradezco mucho por todo. Ustedes son increíbles.”
Tomorrow is a day of rest, so no summary will go out. I wish you all a lovely Easter Sunday.
He is Risen! Risen, indeed!
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
