May 6, 2021

We end the week on a very positive note, with happy families, ample donations, and a smooth-running operation. The weather today was ever-changing. The morning was actually warm until it got a bit colder. The sun came out but went away. The wind picked up in the afternoon, including a 20 minute period of sustained gusts which caused us some havoc. Finally, the rain came with dark clouds and colder temps. Now it is calm and dry. The morning was calm with a steady inflow of people dropping off groceries, pantry, and hygiene items, along with Mother’s Day flowers and cards. Families lined up early at 1pm and kept a steady pace all afternoon. It was a pretty normal Thursday, with perhaps a few extra families.

Groceries today were provided by Highland Covenant, Victory Court, Sacred Heart Parish & School, Bellevue Presbyterian, Overlake Park Presbyterian, Doxa, First United Methodist, Lighthouse and Crossroads Bible churches, as well as Champions Foundation, Rotary Bellevue Sunrise and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 203 orders came in today (thank you for the extras!) and all went out today to families, along with 9 carried over from yesterday. Thank you to everyone who donated today.

Food boxes arrived at 11:15am today but with one less pallet than normal. The driver had given one of our pallets to his previous stop in Covington, thinking they were short. This turned out to be an error. Cascadia Produce apologized and almost drove out another pallet to us but couldn’t pull it off logistically. This didn’t impact our operation but did impact the number of boxes we could give to our partners this afternoon, which is a shame. They were very understanding. The AM crew did a great job of packing these boxes and receiving all the deliveries. Thank you, crew!

A Crossroads Bible volunteer was here to handle the passing out of flowers and cards to families. The sea of flowers was simply beautiful. People were very happy to receive their gifts. Thank you, Kim!

A nice delivery of fresh trout came in to fill the fish freezer today. Thank you! The fish goes to families which do not eat other meat. They are very grateful for the option of fish.

A few stories and updates:

Nancy comes on Thursday, picking up groceries for her own family, her mother and her mother-in-law. She was very pleased to be able to take them flowers and cards. It must have been a sweet moment when she delivered them. Such a beautiful picture.

Lily took two boxes of sandwiches to downtown Seattle, finding a line of homeless men and women at the Mission. She sent back some pictures. Here’s what she wrote in her email back: “I send you a few pictures today some people allow me to take pictures but some others not. I went to The Mission to drop the sandwiches and what I saw impact me. They did not have to much to give but there were giving some cheese and crackers and a few things. When I was leaving the people already in line waiting there were telling God bless you lady. I left there crying 😢😭😪 The people who goes to Jubilee REACH they take for granted what they receive and sometimes they pick the food and they return the food they don't like. I see it with my own 👀 And this homeless people are happy with cheese and crackers and sandwiches 😔😪 It make to appreciate more the help that you guys are giving me and be grateful that I'm a little part of them bringing the sandwiches. Because you trust me enough to bring the sandwiches to them. 😪😔😪😪”

A man came late today, about 3:45pm, looking for food for his family. He is not in the program, so would normally be added to the waiting list, but the operation had already transitioned. We welcomed him and provided him a box & bag like normal. He was very happy, as he has a family of 6. Then we presented him with flowers and a card for his wife, which brought a huge smile of disbelief. We assured him this doesn’t happen every day, but he came on the right day. We asked him to return next week to formally enter the waiting list. Hopefully he comes back. In the meantime, he went away happy and with food for his family, as well as some lovely gifts for his wife. So great!

A woman named Lisa came today, whom we all know and adore. She has her own kids and cares for both her parents. Her 91 year old dad has been diagnosed with a kind of leukemia, some of which is still unknown. They believe it is a treatable kind, but his age makes things more difficult. She asked if people could pray for them as they walk through this new situation.

Thank you for another great week of ‘Groceries for Families’. Please keep these families and this program in your prayers. Information about the future of ‘Groceries for Families’ will be coming out next week.

Have a great weekend,

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

Groceries for Families: Week 58 - Day 3

Groceries for Families: Week 59 - Day 1

Groceries for Families: Week 58 - Day 2