Groceries for Families: Week 9 - Day 4
We sure dodged a bullet today with the weather. Thank you to anyone who was praying! It poured rain during deliveries this morning and then the sun came out about 12:00pm. It stayed lovely until about 2:45pm, so most of the families came in dry weather. This operation is much harder in the rain, so this was a nice blessing.
Groceries today came from Redeemer, Overlake Park Presbyterian, Kalos, Sacred Heart, Doxa, First United Methodist, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches. A total of 150 orders came and all went out to families, including 15 by delivery and one late arrival about an hour ago for the last order. Thank you to all who delivered in the rain this morning. It was a very smooth operation.
Doxa Church Delivery
Box lunches arrived this morning from the Bellevue School District and Microsoft. All but just a few went out today. We put them out in the market, but not all the families take the time to stand in a second line. To hand out most of them, we station a person at the parking lot exit. Rosario is the soldier who does this twice a week and is quite a saleswoman, trust me. Today she had a canopy over her and braved the cold and rain, all with a smile. She is wonderful! Thank you to BSD and Microsoft.
Today’s Market
Linda with tomatoes
Tomatoes
A special few people brought 30 tomato plants and instructions about how to grow them on a balcony/patio. Linda stayed for the afternoon to hand them out to willing families. She had a blast! It was great to see families carrying 3-foot tall tomato plants to their cars. It certainly added a lot of fun to the day. Thank you!
A few emails from families:
Sent with a picture of her groceries displayed: “Given in joy - Received in gratitude - Scrubbed with caring hands - Left to dry alone but in togetherness decorate my kitchen with color - I breathe love into my hands and prepare the salad that will feed my son and daughter - Thank you for your kindness.”
Including the silly part of the email because it shows behind the scenes a bit: ” I can’t believe I did it again ! I came a day early , again ! I’m suppose to come on Friday’s not Thursdays, and again today I showed up a day early ! I apologize ! Please note that I won’t be there tomorrow (Friday) because I came today ! You all are amazing ! And thank you again for the beautiful flowers for Mother’s Day!”
An email from a Pastor at Lighthouse Church:
“Dear Ken, Thanks for your daily reports, with the pictures and stories of lives touched. These are so encouraging, and I’m very thankful for how the Lord is using you and Daniel, the JR staff and volunteers, and all the folks from the 25 churches to bless our local community in so many ways. It’s truly awesome how the Lord is bringing beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61:3) during the current crisis.
May you stay healthy and safe. And may God give you strength and joy as you advance his kingdom by serving those in need. With appreciation, Wayne”
Thanks for a great day. We’re on the downhill side of week 9. Warm weather looks to be returning, which will be very welcome.
Have a great evening…peace to you all
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family
