Groceries for Families: Week 65 - Day 2
June 23, 2021
Today seems like one last cooler day before the heat comes. This morning, there was actually a layer of marine air which had the temperature quite cool. As it burned off, the day was simply perfect with warm temps and a slight breeze. Enjoy it while you can. The morning was busy with a steady stream of people dropping off deliveries of groceries and pantry items. Thank you, everyone. The afternoon was VERY busy, making up for the slow Tuesday. The line formed early and was present all afternoon. Last fall and winter every day was like this, so it’s been a while to be super busy. It’s likely many families from yesterday came today. With yesterday being the last day of school in Bellevue, maybe families were busy.
Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Delivery
Calvary Chapel Eastside Delivery
Groceries today were provided by Newport Covenant, Calvary Chapel Eastside, Indian Fellowship, 24-Seven, St. Louise, Bellevue Christian Reformed, Crossroads Bible and Bellevue Prebyterian churches. A total of 156 orders came in today and all went out to families, along with 58 orders carried over from yesterday. That’s 214 groceries today. Wow! Thank you to everyone who donated.
Today’s AM Crew
The AM crew was from Bellevue Presbyterian Church and a mix of veteran and new people to the shift. They took on many tasks to get the operation ready for the afternoon, including potting more tomato plants. Well done, crew!
Tomato plants were handed out for a second day to families. Katherine returned with another 100 plants in 4” pots. We got a 3rdload of soil in a truck, so volunteers could plant them all in 2 gallon pots. They were very popular with the families. Thank you all!
Tomato Crew
Vaccine Clinic
The vaccine clinic also returned for a second day and had much more activity than yesterday. There were 16 people who came to get a vaccine today, including the mom and older son of the family profiled in this email yesterday. When asked if he was ok getting the vaccine the young boy replied, “No, I hate needles…but I hate masks more.” He did it. Thank you, ICHS.
We’re continuing to receive a steady flow of fresh produce from local gardens. It is wonderful! Thank you to everyone who is bringing it. If you know anyone who has a garden and needs a place to get it to people in need, please send them to Jubilee.
A few stories and updates:
Jorge, Patrick, and Sterling
A picture of the three Jubilee Site Coaches who worked the afternoon shift with families is on the right. This was the last day for Jorge, Patrick and Sterling to serve in the GFF. They’ve been involved since spring 2020. Site coaches will be involved with summer school in the BSD and will be busy getting ready for the next school year. They won’t be working shifts in Phase 3. So, each day coaches are working their last shifts. Thank you to all of them. The GFF program could not have happened without them on the front lines.
Maria brought the crew a beautiful veggie pasta dish for lunch today. It is light and very tasty. She’s continuing to heal nicely from her recent knee surgery. Thankfully, it hasn’t stopped her from cooking.
Angelina brought a large tray of beef tacos today, with fresh cilantro, onions, lime and hot sauce. These were devoured quickly by the crew. This lady can flat out cook. No picture, unfortunately.
Rebekah is a mom who hasn’t been profiled before. She’s been in the program since spring 2020. She and her daughter, Grace, brought the crew homemade cookies today. Yummy! We remember Grace last spring and summer as a child who cried the entire time she was at Jubilee…every time. Now, she is a happy little girl who loves to come and waves to us all.
Elsa is a young girl who comes each Wednesday with her mom. Today she brought us a thank you note. Very sweet.
We’re starting to hear from a few families who did not come talk to us about Phase 3 and are now worried about the current program coming to a close next week. We’re adding them to the waiting list. It is likely more will come forward next week.
Thanks for a great Wednesday. It was so nice to rebound after such a quiet Tuesday. 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
