Groceries for Families: Week 11 - Day 1
It was such a lovely day to start the week. The temperature was perfect for working. As the afternoon opened up, the sun came out and the temp went up nicely. The entire day felt calm and steady, which is always appreciated. Delivery by shoppers this morning went very well, and families came all afternoon.
Groceries today came from CityHill, Common Good, Rain City, Lighthouse, Sacred Heart School, BCRC, 24-Seven, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches. A total of 169 orders came in and all but nine went to families, including about 30 by delivery. The remaining few will go out as deliveries in the morning. This was the largest single delivery day yet, and it all went very smoothly this morning. Thanks to all who participated today.
Bellevue Christian Reformed Church Delivery
24-Seven Church Delivery
This week 60 families were added from the waiting list, which is the first time we’ve been able to do so in three week. Twenty of those families came today, and it was easy to find them in line as new faces. Talking to them was great, knowing they had been waiting so long. We welcomed them with open arms and worked hard to make them feel extra comfortable. One couple came on bicycles and had been in the Jubilee ESL program in the past.
A total of 612 families are currently in the program, all coming twice per week. Another 50-60 families remain in the waiting list, and we hope to on-board them next Monday. Thank you to all who have provided extra groceries to help this shift upward.
BelPres Delivery
Erika and baby hummingbird
We found a baby hummingbird sitting on a table amongst the groceries this morning.
Erika was able to pick it up and help it outside. We’re not sure how it got so far into the building and onto a table.
Personal hygiene items were offered to families today. We started offering dish soap by refill only today. As the most popular item, it was no longer possible to keep up with demand. By shifting to refill, it will be easier to do so. We also offered disinfecting wipes for the first time today – they went quickly. Thank you to all who donated these items.
Laundry detergent was also offered today. We’re on an every other week pattern, which works out very well for this popular and important item. Thank you to all who have been donating pods for the past two weeks.
A few emails from Jubilee crew members to give you an inside perspective:
From Alleigha (site coach at Chinook Middle School normally) – works the I-pad checking in families every afternoon: "I have had the opportunity to check families in each day for the past 10 weeks, and getting to know the people in line has been such a pleasure. I have gotten the chance to meet so many amazing people that I never had the privilege to before, I have gotten to know their stories a bit, and in a small way, become a part of their lives. With some, I am praying about job interviews, with others I am praying for health and safety. And while only a few students come by, the ones that do, I joke around with and check in on. This is such a challenging season for everyone, and kids know that their parents are struggling, so being able to see them and know them can make a huge impact on their day, and I know it makes mine better.
From Jakeh (site coach at Big Picture School) – works AM & PM shifts regularly: “Often times I think of what could I do more, I don’t do enough, there is always an opportunity I’m missing. But for these past 8-9 weeks (my gosh, it’s been that long) those thoughts have been absent because of the clarity this program has given me. Coming to the center and seeing Julian coming down the stairs to check my temperature, watching Barb race to pre-sort boxes and boxes of chicken by herself, hearing Sam’s music startup as he sorts flour, sugar, rice, and countless other bulk items… it just makes me smile. We are all working together toward one goal, serving the community. It’s that simple. God doesn’t let down, and sometimes things that aren’t supposed to happen, or aren’t in our plan turn out to be in God’s. Just this last Thursday a church gave us 30 more orders than we were expecting to handle. We didn’t seem to have the room for these extras, and I (who was on stocking duty) had to run out for a meeting. When I came back for the next shift, Daniel and Eddvin had not only found extra room in the fridge but had gotten everything ready so the afternoon could run smoothly. Oh, and those 30 extras? Just so happened to be about 15 deliveries that we had to make, and 10 walk-ins that day. God knew what we needed even if we didn’t. God knows best even if we think we know best. God takes care of his children and his people even as they try to care for and help those they are called too. Trust that God has you exactly where he wants you.”
Today marks day 1 of week 11 of this ‘Groceries for Families’ program. Thank you to all for sustaining your passion and dedication to serving these families of our community.
There are so many things going on in our country and city right now, unrelated to this program. We heard it talked about today at Jubilee REACH, with stories of hearts breaking from the pain being caused. Please pray for peace, healing, and love to prevail.
We are in this together to end,
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family
