March 25, 2021

The week ends today on a very nice note. The weather was cool in the morning but not cold, with no trace of the storm from yesterday. The sun came through about noon and stayed with us most of the afternoon, which always seems to make things go better. Everyone enjoys the rays of warmth. The morning was a nice steady flow of incoming people dropping off groceries, pantry, and hygiene items. There are always lots of returning people but also plenty of new people too. Thank you to everyone! The afternoon was a modest line to start and a steady pace all afternoon. After the crazy busy day of yesterday, today felt calmer for sure. Overall, another great day.

Groceries today were provided by Champions Foundation, Rotary Bellevue Sunrise, and the Jubilee Friends group, as well as Victory Court, Doxa, Bellevue Presbyterian, Lighthouse, Crossroads Bible, Sacred Heart Parish & School, First United Methodist, Overlake Park Presbyterian, and Highland Covenant churches. A total of 230 orders came in (thank you for the extras!) and all went out to families today. Thank you to everyone who donated today.

Food boxes arrived about 10am today, which is a good time for the operation. The AM volunteers from Sacred Heart quickly covered them in ice packs and wrapped them in blankets. The group worked hard today processing all the incoming deliveries and packing 100 boxes. Thank you, crew!

Thanks for the flowers and oranges. Volunteers took the large bouquets and made many smaller bouquets. About 50 women received flowers today. About half the families received oranges, too. Thank you so much!!!

The wholesale diaper order is arriving this week. Some came on Monday and the rest are due tomorrow morning. We’ve ordered other bulk orders of #5 & #6 from Costco. Thank you to the individuals and churches who contributed to these large purchases. The diaper inventory is stable.

We’re planning to do an extra market for families this Saturday for all the non-perishables and other items which find their way here. Spring cleaning! We’ve done markets on Fridays and want to try a Saturday now.

A few stories and updates:

Shahin brought a lunch of Persian chicken and rice today. It was her way of saying thank you to everyone for the support she is receiving. Very tasty! Please accept this thanks, as well. Please continue to pray for her and her daughter, as they adjust to a new life.

Coach Seth is pictured here. He is a new site coach at Big Picture School and will be serving on the grocery staff weekly. He was thrust into the middle today working the QFC carts. Seth grew up in Issaquah, so is a local guy. Welcome, Seth!

David told us he is continuing the interview process with Microsoft. He is awaiting a slot for a technical interview next week, which should be the last step. Please pray for him through this process.

Thank you for another great week of ‘Groceries for Families’. Next week should be a lot of fun with Easter bags going out. Please continue to pray for these families. A few of them we know specifics to pray for, but most we don’t. They all need prayer.

Have a great weekend,

Ken Carpenter
Director- Community Care, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family

Groceries for Families: Week 52 - Day 3

Groceries for Families: Week 53 - Day 1

Groceries for Families: Week 52 - Day 2