June 10, 2021

Week 63 finishes with a very nice Thursday, including a smooth operation and very nice weather. The morning was actually a little chilly, noticeable by cold hands as the temperature seemed to drop in the late morning. By the afternoon, it was steadily warmer with a slight breeze. The morning was a steady in-flow of happy people dropping off groceries and pantry items. Thank you, everyone. The afternoon was equally busy with families lining up early and keeping a slow but steady pace up to the end. People seemed to be in good moods all day. Overall, it was a great day here.

Groceries today were provided by Lighthouse, Victory Court, Highland Covenant, Doxa, Overlake Park Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Sacred Heart Parish & School, Crossroads Bible, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Rotary Bellevue Sunrise Club and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 174 orders came in today and all went out to families. Thank you to everyone who donated.

The AM crew was a group of volunteers from different places, all of them returning veterans of the shift. They made it seem easy to handle all the incoming deliveries and pack bags of produce. The afternoon was well set up by this team. Thank you, crew!

Instead of the USDA box, a picture of the produce bag families now receive is on the right. All items are purchased with donated cash to GFF. Included are one dozen eggs, garlic, jalapeno pepper, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, green pepper, carrots, and bananas. It is a pretty picture of color. In the market, there are also apples, onions, and potatoes. Families get a nice selection of fresh produce.

Lily came this morning to pick up two boxes of sandwiches to take to the homeless downtown. Actually, instead of traditional sandwiches, we were able to give her burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and other normally hot foods. We weren’t sure how they would be received, but she reported back people loved them. She sees many of the same people, so they were happy to have something new. These items come donated by a local distributor.

A few stories and updates:

Shahin sent a picture of her husband’s grave and gave permission to share it with you all. This Sunday is his birthday, so she has taken extra care to add some beauty to the area. It makes her happy, in a time of continued sadness. Please continue to pray for her. She feels very, very alone. She’ll be back to volunteer on Monday.

Sasha was back today. We described in this email a few weeks ago how he is living in his car right now to afford school at Bellevue College. His car was stolen on the campus, forcing him to use much of his savings to buy another one. He has since become engaged in the student representation at the school and is on a path to be on the Student Advisory Board, which will work directly with interim President Gary Locke. He wants to advocate for safer conditions around the campus for everyone. He’s quite an impressive guy

A note from a family: “The things our family gets at Jubilee have helped a lot, especially when I needed it most. That’s why, when I get a chance, I try to send a thank you note. It is a blessing because it means a lot to me to receive this help. Honestly, everything we receive is helpful because everything is so good. I wish I could pay you for this help. I know I can’t but God will. Thank you.”

A note from a family: “Dear Jubilee. The support we receive from you has been such a great help because I don’t work. With my husband and son, we are barely making it to pay rent. Having this food is such a big help to our family. We don’t have to worry because everything you give us is so helpful. Not having your help would set our family back so much. So, thank you, from all of us.”

Plans for Phase 3 of ‘Groceries for Families’ are coming together. At the end of the operation today, volunteers cleaned up all of the areas, leaving just the tables. We were able to set the space in a brand new way, which we think will flow well with Phase 3. We walk through it a few times, just as a family would. It felt very good. The pieces are coming together. Thank you for your patience while this takes shape. Using all of the feedback from families, it feels like Phase 3 is building itself. More details coming.

Thank you for another great week of ‘Groceries for Families’. Changes are coming in July, and everything feels like it is flowing in the right direction. Please continue to pray for these families and this operation. Please pray for any families which may need continued help, which hasn’t come forward yet. That is the biggest worry.

Have a great weekend,

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

Groceries for Families: Week 63 - Day 3

Groceries for Families: Week 64 - Day 1

Groceries for Families: Week 63 - Day 2