June 16, 2021

Today was such a lovely day – one of those days we all tolerate the winter to finally reach the PNW. It looks like summer is coming, beginning tomorrow. Bring it on! The operation of GFF today was very smooth on a very busy Wednesday. The morning was very busy from about 7:30am right until 12:00pm, with a steady flow of incoming deliveries of groceries, hygiene, and pantry items. Thank you, everyone! Families lined up across the line as we opened and kept up a steady pace all afternoon. The final 45 minutes was exceptionally busy. We ran out of much of the fresh produce items, actually, but not until the very, very end. All is well.

Groceries today were provided by the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Bellevue, and the Jubilee Friends group, as well as St. Louise, Bellevue Presbyterian, Crossroads Bible, Calvary Chapel Eastside, Bellevue Christian Reformed, Newport Covenant, 24-Seven and Indian Fellowship churches. A total of 207 orders came in today and all went out to families, along with 13 carried over from yesterday. Busy day! Thank you to everyone who donated.

The AM crew came from Bellevue Presbyterian Church today and was a mix of returning veterans and new volunteers. They worked hard all morning to receive all the incoming deliveries and pack bags of produce. They set the afternoon up for success. Thank you, and well done, crew!

All the Jubilee REACH Site Coaches had an end-of-school-year-luncheon today, so the entire PM crew during the GFF operation was staffed with volunteers today, for the first time. Only Denisse and Ashley, who work in the administrative area, were the staff. It was fun and felt different. It went very well, as they are all experienced volunteers.

We’re starting to see more and more fresh produce show up at Jubilee from local gardens. A large bundle of rosemary filled the air with its strong fragrance today. Many greens are already being harvested. If you know anyone who has a garden and needs a place to get it to people in need, please send them to Jubilee.

We’ll be partnering with ICHS (International Community Health Services) next week to provide a vaccine clinic during each GFF operation. They are located about 1.5 miles directly north of Jubilee on 140th. We’re taking a simple poll of families this week, to see who may be interested. So far, about 30-40 people each day have been interested. ICHS will be on the grass all three days next week with J&J and Pfizer vaccines. If you know anyone who wants a vaccine, send them to Jubilee those afternoons. All are open to the public.

A few stories and updates:

Bertha and her family have been in the program for at least a year. Since last fall, she has been volunteering each Friday to help with the market area. She’s become one of the crew. In Phase 3, her family will not be continuing, so her time with us is coming to an end. Today, it seemed to be hitting her very hard. As she joined us for orientation, she was visibly emotional. Denisse translated that she was feeling very sad and wanted to say a few words. She simply said that she loves us all. She prayed for us in Spanish today (she doesn’t speak English). We’ve been so blessed to be so close with her for so long. We’ll miss her for sure. A picture of her and Trenton is on the right.

Maria brought us a shrimp pasta dish for lunch tomorrow. Yum! She is such a good cook and continues to love the crew through her cooking. Angelina was here today and said she’d bring lunch next week. Anticipation is so great!

A Russian woman has been in our program for at least a year and usually comes right at the end on Wednesday. We’ve not profiled her in this email before. She shared some details of her life with us today. She’s only in her 40’s but had a fierce battle with brain cancer, which nearly killed her. She suffers still from pain, memory loss, and function of some limbs. She’s lost the use of her right arm, so had to learn to write left-handed. She walks with a limp. Her memory is very poor. Her hair remains thin. Yet, she is optimistic and positive about life. She picks up food for her own family and an elderly family who lives near her. She brings joy to this program, and it’s good to know more about her life.

A note from a family: “My wife had some operations recently, in the past year, so that's made it challenging. She works sometimes but not always. I've had a more challenging time working because I worked at a Microsoft Cafe, and with people working from home, there's less and less need for people who do my job. Between the hardships created by the pandemic and struggling to make ends meet, it’s been great to know help from Jubilee is available. We appreciate everything that is provided for our family. Everyone is friendly and nice and seems so willing to help. Please thank everyone for us.”

If you missed the details about Phase 3 of GFF, look back to yesterday’s blog summary. For sure, the countdown to this change has started. The site coaches who help on Tuesday won’t be returning for the final two Tuesdays. So, we said goodbye to them yesterday for this operation. Other site coaches are taking time off, so won’t be serving in the operation further. It will be sad to see some things changing. Yet, we are anticipating Phase 3 with excitement and renewed energy to stay connected to some families. Please continue to pray for this transition.

Thanks for a smooth Wednesday. The operation is humming along nicely and the transition to Phase 3 is on schedule. Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and sustained energy behind this community program. We are in it together.

Blessings to you all,

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

Groceries for Families: Week 64 - Day 2

Groceries for Families: Week 64 - Day 3

Groceries for Families: Week 64 - Day 1