March 4, 2021

We end this week on a positive note. The operation is running very smoothly. The family count seemed to be down a little bit this week but nothing is trending. The weather today started off chilly, become comfortable, and turned to rain in the afternoon. It didn’t impact the operation at all. The morning was super busy with lots of people coming in to drop off groceries, pantry, and hygiene items. Thank you, everyone! Families kept a steady pace all afternoon, with many people picking up for others, which has become common.

Groceries today were provided by Crossroads Bible, Bellevue Presbyterian, Sacred Heart Parish and School, Lighthouse, Victory Court, Highland Covenant, Doxa, First United Methodist, and Overlake Park Presbyterian churches, as well as the Rotary Bellevue Sunrise Club, Champions Foundation, and Jubilee Friends group. A total of 216 orders came in today and all went out to families today, along with about 40 carried over from yesterday. Thank you to everyone who donated today.

The morning volunteers were primarily from Sacred Heart Parish. The team worked very hard to keep things running smoothly, including processing all the incoming groceries and packing 120 food boxes. Thank you, crew!

Pastor Gerardo from El Dios Viviente Methodist Church in White Center, Seattle came this afternoon to pick up extra food in our inventory. We’ve been in partnership with them since the spring to help support about 400 families in their community. We’ve been blessed to be connected to the great work his team is doing there.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve also partnered with St. Monica Catholic Church on Mercer Island to provide them with extra food, which they distribute to various shelters in the area. They came again today and are doing wonderful work in the community. Thank you!

A few stories and updates:

Alfredo is a 6th grader from Odle Middle School who comes each Tuesday to pick up food for his family. He’s been coming since the spring and blends in with the many adults surrounding him. He is quiet but knows the system, making his way through the line & back to the car where his dad or aunt await him. We don’t really know why he comes alone and no one else from his family. Perhaps it is his English skills or their apprehension for some reason. Either way, he is providing his family an incredible service for a 12-year-old. We notice him each week and all admire him. Please pray for him.
Sylvia is a woman who has been coming since the spring. She showed up early Wednesday to ask for extra help. She has recently left her husband of 20 years because of domestic violence. (This has become an increasing problem during Covid-19 nationwide.) She took their 3 children to temporarily live with her parents in Kirkland, which is a tight fit. She was seeking legal and housing assistance. The Jubilee Community Care folks were able to provide her direction to resources. They also showed her compassion and let her know someone cares. Please pray for them. It’s a wonderful thing that trust is already built through the GFF program that she feels comfortable coming here for help. Life is messy, even without the virus.

Thanks for another great week. We’ve just completed week 49 of ‘Groceries for Families’. The 1 year anniversary will be March 23, which is hard to believe. Thank you for all you are doing to support these vulnerable members of our community.

Have a great weekend,

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

Groceries for Families: Week 49 - Day 3

Groceries for Families: Week 50 - Day 1

Groceries for Families: Week 49 - Day 2