GROCERIES FOR FAMILIES

Supporting families affected by the pandemic with food, hygiene items, and other necessities

Jubilee REACH Communications 8/25/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 8/25/20

Groceries for Families: Week 23 - Day 2

Wow, what a busy day! The addition of registering people added a whole layer of complexity – see details below. Tuesdays are always busy and today felt like two Tuesdays. The morning was a great flow of incoming groceries and pantry items. The afternoon had two lines for families and the rush for food came right near the end. The crew must have put out 60 orders in the last 30. At 3:10pm, when calm was restored, we all took a long breath. The goal was to get to the end, and we made it.

Groceries today came from Westminster Chapel, Cornerstone, Creekside Covenant, Bellevue Presbyterian and Crossroads Bible churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 111 orders came in today and all went out to families, including 13 by delivery. Additionally, another 60 orders went out as food boxes to families. That’s a total of 171 orders going out. See…busy.

As with all Tuesdays, the truck arrived right at 7:00am to deliver five pallets of food boxes.

Three pallets are intended for our partners at El Dios Viviente Methodist Church in White Center, Seattle.

Pastor Guzman was here early with two vehicles to pick up the boxes. He is supporting 300+ families in the community around the church, and we’ve been blessed to be partners with them since the spring.

For the other two pallets, volunteers unpacked all the perishables into refrigeration. We pulled out 10 pounds of potatoes and 3 pounds of onions, replacing them with bread, eggs, tomatoes, and chips. All 60 orders went out to families today. That has never happened before.

The exit line was full of extra food today. Nice delivery from the QFC Crossroads came in from a volunteer today.

Plums and prunes have started to show up from local orchards.

Tomatoes have also started to appear. Thank you to everyone who continues to give extras for the market area.

Senior lunches were delivered today by Barb and her crew to 25 people in the community. The main course was homemade Shepard’s Pie, but Barb always adds extra goodies and touches of love. Thank you!

As you read yesterday, families are being asked/required to re-register for the new program which begins next Tuesday.

This is so we can ensure the best and correct contact information is in the new database. Additionally, we’re gathering details about any dietary restrictions and allergies. Families are being issued an ID card for the program, which will need to be presented each time they come. This will help expedite the daily check-in process.

A picture of Kandan on the right registering someone today is attached. Kandan is a Site Coach at Chinook Middle School and the builder of our spreadsheet. Thank you!

It was a big ask for the families to wait in line to register. It took up to 30 minutes, just for that line today because of the sheer volume of people. However, all of them showed great patience and understanding, which was so appreciated. They fully understand the program is shifting but is definitely remaining in place to support their families. For sure, the relationship and trust between them and Jubilee REACH is very solid.

It was interesting to listen and watch the families today. For some, there is a great relief to know this program will be here next week. For others, there is even excitement. As I watched people today, knowing so many of them by face only, I couldn’t help think about their story and what is happening in their lives. For most, we simply don’t know. Yet, they come twice a week and allow us to enter into their lives a little bit. It must be hard to come and ask for food. Hopefully, they continue to feel love, respect, compassion, community, and that there are people in this community who care.

We are all on this journey together. Without question, the impact of this program is being felt by the shoppers and donors, as much as the families. As with all mission work, it is you who usually gets changed by helping others. This is no different. The crew definitely feels it. Hopefully you do too. Thank you for all you’re doing to make this possible.

As written yesterday, this program will change next week. You can sign up through your participating church to bring the new grocery list. If you don’t have a church participating, you can sign up through the Jubilee Friends link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b49a5aa2ba3fd0-jubilee. It will be extended tomorrow into September. Thank you in advance for continuing with these families.

Have a great evening, wherever this find you tonight,

Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family

Jubilee REACH Communications 8/24/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 8/24/20

Groceries for Families: Week 23 - Day 1

The first day of week 23 was a nice one all-around, which is always a nice way to start a Monday. The incoming groceries and pantry items kept the crew very busy this morning. The afternoon had a nice long line by 12:45pm, which as great to see. Once we open, the line moves quickly, so no one is out there too long. The weather was very pleasant, with cooler temperatures in the morning and a nice sun in the afternoon. So great!

Groceries today came from Common Good, Lighthouse, Sacred Heart, Bellevue Presbyterian, 24-Seven and Bellevue Christian Reformed churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 117 orders came in today and all went out to families today, including 18 by delivery. Thank you to everyone who donated today!

Food donations were delivered yesterday by volunteers from the Safeway Thrashers Corner in Lynnwood and today by volunteers from QFC Crossroads. Both deliveries were smaller than normal, so we didn’t do a full market. The exit lane tables were full of all sorts of good items. Thank you!

Personal hygiene items were offered to families today, allowing them to choose 3 out of 8 items. Thank you to everyone who helped fill the pantry this past week.

As we shift toward the new version of this program next week, today we started registering all the families for the new program. We made the decision to start fresh, rather than roll everything over, to help clean up the database and ensure accurate information. So, in the market area, families came one by one to talk to Kandan & Alleigha to get their contact information in the system and any special needs they have. This process will continue all week, trying to get as many people preregistered as we can before next Tuesday.

An email from a family:

Muchísimas gracias a todos ustedes por la ayuda que nos brindan, a todos los voluntarios , a las persnos que donan frutas, productos , en fin a todos que se preocupan por el prójimo, es una na gran ayuda especialmente en estos tiempos que la economía y los trabajos escasearon, que Dios les recompense siempre, Gracias y bendiciones para ustedes en Jubilee Reach

Many thanks to all of you for the help you give, to all the volunteers, to the people who donate fruits and products, in all, everyone who cares about their neighbor. It is a great help especially in these times where the economy and the jobs are scarce. May God reward you always. Thank you and blessing to everyone at Jubilee REACH.

A personal thank you from a family:

Many of you have been touched by the story of the Jewish family, they have a strict diet of fruits and vegetables only. Since the spring, we have been sensitive to their needs and come up with special ‘groceries’ for them twice per week. In the spring, this meant going to QFC sometimes. This summer, the bounty of fresh vegetables from local gardeners has been plentiful. Today, husband and wife came to pick up their order, which was quite exceptional compared to normal days. They asked how they could say thank you to the people who provide their special diet orders each week. I suggested a picture and told them I would pass on the thanks in this email. As the husband said today, the food donations have been a miracle they never expected. He said in the spring they had prayed for help, and they now know that this Jubilee program is God’s answer. He is actively looking for a job and hopes to sustain his family again soon. Until then, he is very appreciative of all the people providing the food for their family.

A quick request for a few items we are running very low on unexpectedly: Quarts and Gallon Zip-lock bags.

Next week will bring a few changes to this program, as a new version is started. Here is a quick summary:

Families will come only once per week, instead of twice, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
The USDA will provide food boxes, enough for each family, including dairy, vegetables, fruit and protein. We have placed the order and are quite anxious to learn of the final confirmation. The delivery is set to begin September 1, but we know there may be a delay.
Shoppers will bring a supplemental order of groceries including non-perishables foods and hygiene items. These will be brought to Jubilee each Tue, Wed and Thu morning. The value will be $15-$22 per order, in one bag. The goal is to make it more sustainable, easy, and affordable. Here is the shopping list:
- Chips, 1 bag 7-12 oz.
- Bread, 1 loaf white/wheat
- Chocolate, 1-3 bars, no nuts
- Cereal, 1 box
- Apple Juice, 1-64 oz. bottle
- Flour tortillas, 10 pack
- Corn tortillas, 20-30 pack
- Toilet paper, 2 rolls in a plastic bag
- Hygiene item(s), 1-2 (will rotate weekly)
We know there are more families in the community who are in crisis and hope to have the capacity to help more families. They would come as referrals from the Bellevue School District. As this large “puzzle” comes together, we’ll decide how many more can be brought in to the program.

This is a very quick summary. Reach me if you want more details. Thank you for your continued support of these dear members of the community who need help. We need to stay with them.

Have a great evening,

Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family

Jubilee REACH Communications 8/22/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 8/22/20

Groceries for Families: Week 22 - Day 6

Today was a lovely way to end the week. The weather was cool and rainy in the morning but opened up to dry and warm by the mid-morning. Saturdays are a blur, with all the groceries arriving between 8:30-9:30am and families coming at 10:00am. It was a steady and calm pace coming in this morning. Families lined up by 9:45am and came steadily all morning long. The crew seemed to enjoy the day, which is always great.

Today was a lovely way to end the week. The weather was cool and rainy in the morning but opened up to dry and warm by mid-morning. Saturdays are a blur, with all the groceries arriving between 8:30-9:30am and families coming at 10:00am. It was a steady and calm pace coming in this morning. Families lined up by 9:45am and came steadily all morning long. The crew seemed to enjoy the day, which is always great.

Groceries today were provided by Bellevue Presbyterian, Evangelical Chinese, and Victory Court churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 115 came in today and all went out to families. Thank you to everyone who participated!

The market was open today with few fresh foods but lots of non-perishables, books, clothing, and more. Very popular! Thank you to everyone who gave extras. The two very large orchard bins of apples continue to empty. If you remember the picture from Thursday where they both were full, you can see the difference now. Families were again asked to take extra bags of potatoes, so many more went. Our large supply of potatoes is finally to a manageable amount. Yeah!

Today was the last day for bulk ingredient foods to be provided. The crew has now flipped the lobby to be ready for personal hygiene items on Monday. Thank you to everyone who helped fill the pantry.

The group called “Jubilee Friends” is a place individuals can sign up to bring groceries if they’re not associated with a partnering church or organization. This has been going all summer. The pace is staying very steady and today had 9 orders, which is the most ever. If you have anyone who would like to participate in this way, send them the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b49a5aa2ba3fd0-jubilee. Thank you!

One quick follow up story from Ken:

The wife from Wednesday returned today with news of the MRI for her husband’s brain tumor. The tumor is about half the size it was in early June when it returned from 2017 surgery. The doctor is going to skip chemo this month to allow the swelling to go down, so they can do another MRI in September. For now, he will be on oral medication only. This is very good, as it will allow him to gain strength and energy back. She showed me the MRI report, which was in medical English, so difficult to understand. She is in good spirits. Their daughter starts school soon, so that is a good distraction.

Here’s a fun, quick view of the quantity of bulk ingredients given out this week:

Flour: 74 bags or 152 lbs
Rice: 150 bags or 375 lbs
Beans: 165 bags or 198 lbs
Sugar: 223 bags 212 lbs
Salt: 170 bags or 85 lbs

As with each Saturday, here’s a look at statistics to date after 21 weeks:

Program Days: 132
Families currently in the program: 520+
People in these families: 2340 (approximate)
Families on the waiting list: 0
Grocery orders provided to-date: 22,542
Churches & Organizations engaged: 28
Different shoppers participating: 950 (approximate)

Today marks the last day of week 22 of this ‘Groceries for Families’ program. It continues to cruise right along with so many good things happening. Thank you all for the continued participation, prayers, support, and love for the people of our community. It’s just so great to be in this with you all.

Details of the next phase of ‘Groceries for Families’, which begins September 1, will come out on Monday. Watch for it!

Thanks for a great week. Tomorrow is a day of rest. Be back Monday.

Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family

Jubilee REACH Communications 8/21/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 8/21/20

Groceries for Families: Week 22 - Day 5

Well, the rain came today and was actually quite stormy at times. We were watching the canopies in the wind, just in case, we had to chase it down across the lawn. The heavy stuff held off, but it sure was a change from the past couple of months of weather. Despite the rain, the shoppers were delivering groceries and pantry items all morning long. For families, Friday is the busiest day of the week, so there were people here all afternoon.

Groceries today came from Crossroads Bible, Covenant Presbyterian, Westminster Chapel, Evangelical Chinese, and Bellevue Presbyterian, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 151 orders came in today and all went out to families, including 4 by delivery. Busy day! Thank you to everyone who donated their time, energy and treasure today.

Bulk ingredients were offered to families today, choosing 3: flour, rice, pinto beans, sugar and salt. For a rare time, we actually ran out of today’s allotment about 2:50pm. Lots of families today! We held back plenty for tomorrow’s families. Thank you to everyone who give these items each week.

We didn’t set up the full market today, as there were primarily perishable items to offer families. Setting up a few tables in the exit line, these items go very quickly. Today there was plenty of extra dairy, breads, vegetables and the always present apples, onions, potatoes. We’ve started asking families to take extra bags of potatoes to neighbors and friends, to lower the inventory here. It’s working well.

Senior lunches were provided by Crossroads Bible Church and delivered to 25 seniors in the community by volunteers. Thank you to CBC and the volunteers!

A few stories from Ken:

As mentioned yesterday, it is great to see the extended families come out for the food truck. Last week, I mentioned getting to know a woman from Nicaragua, where my family has been to twice on mission trips. As the food truck was finishing last night, a mom and her family showed up for dinner, so I got to meet her husband and daughter. He came to the United States 15 years ago. His wife and daughter (now 20 years old) joined him three years ago. They are from Managua, and it turns out his parents live in the same neighborhood where our family was on our trips. That’s amazing! It was such a fun conversation in a mix of English and Spanish. They are such a beautiful family. I feel very fortunate to have had that time to get to know them further.
A quick update about the Tanzanian family, who has been in this email recently. Daniel delivered groceries to them yesterday. They are stable right now. The dad gave Daniel a big smile when asked if they have started to use the Safeway gift card provided last week. They enjoyed shopping! It looks like two bikes have been found through a volunteer and the Boys & Girls Club. I’ll try to get a picture one day soon. Please pray for this family. We feel there are more families like them out in the community and hope to find them soon to support.

Thank you for another great day. This 22nd week continues to roll along. Saturday will be busy early tomorrow.

Have a great evening,

Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family

Jubilee REACH Communications 8/20/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 8/20/20

Groceries for Families: Week 22 - Day 4

What was expected as the rain turned out to be a warm, sunny day with just an early and late spit of moisture. Overall, it would be hard to call this anything other than a nice day. For sure, though, it was humid, and the crew worked up a quick sweat with all the lifting today. Lots of deliveries came in during the morning, including groceries, extra foods, diapers, and pantry items. Families came steadily all afternoon, although Thursday is typically the slowest day of the week. Add it all up, and it was a great day, #130.

Groceries today came from Sacred Heart, Kalos, Overlake Park Presbyterian, Redeemer, Bellevue Presbyterian, First United Methodist, and Doxa churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 129 orders came in and all but eight went out to families today, including 24 by delivery. The remaining eight will carry over tomorrow, which will be a very busy day. Thank you to everyone who participated today!

Eastside Baby Corner provided delivery of diapers today.

This organization in Issaquah has been a vital partner since the spring and provides a weekly delivery of needed diapers to help fill the inventory.

As a long time pillar of the community, EBC has a goal of helping the future of children by meeting their basic needs today.

It aligns perfectly with the ‘Groceries for Families’ program, and we’re blessed to be in a relationship with them. Thank you!

The Jubilee REACH Thrift Store truck made an early visit to Farmer Frog in Woodinville to pick up extra foods.

Jason (General Manager, Jubilee REACH Thrift Store) and his two sons arrived at the Jubilee REACH Center about 10am with a full load, which they muscled out of the truck, so the crew could unpack it into the building.

What we thought were going to be a few apple crates turned out to be two large wooden bins filled with Honeycrisp apples.

Onions, potatoes, and dairy products rounded it out.

A lot of it went out to families today. Thank you Farmer Frog and Jason & sons!

The food truck is here now. It’s great to look out the window and see families arriving for a tasty dinner.
Thank you BelPres for sponsoring it tonight.

A few stories from Ken:

Here’s a quick update on the Tanzanian family we connected to first last week. They are doing well and have been grateful for the food provided to them. Daniel spoke to the father today, and his “smile could be felt through the phone.” Daniel will visit them again tomorrow with food and has invited me to join him. We’ll see where this relationship goes. A few of you have responded about the bikes, and we’re anxious to see that come together. Thank you! More to come.
One thing that’s great about the food truck is it often brings out other members of the family, who don’t normally come to pick up groceries. This evening I chatted with one family, in particular. The mom and daughter come twice a week, always together. I love it when they come. They are very polite and talkative, while also silly and laughed a lot. The mom ALWAYS wears Cougar gear and usually a coat, even in the warmest weather. The daughter ALWAYS wears Husky gear and usually shorts, even in the coldest weather. They are simply delightful. Tonight I met the father and younger brother. It was very nice to chat with them about simple things, while they waited for dinner. Such a sweet family. It helps me remember there are many other family members at home, who we don’t get to see but are a part of this community of Jubilee REACH.

Thank you for another great day. Randy (Executive Director, Jubilee REACH) asked tonight how our day was today. Honestly, days around here are measured in 8’s, 9’s, and 10’s. They are all good. Thank you for helping make that possible. Your devotion to these families is working and matters so much.

Have a great evening,

Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family

Jubilee REACH Communications 8/19/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 8/19/20

Groceries for Families: Week 22 - Day 3

Sometimes it feels like a full-time job to keep food moving in, through and out of this building. When food reaches families, it is such a great feeling. We watch families fill the back of their cars, knowing it will feed many people at home. Some walk, so leave the grounds carrying all they can. Some use strollers or carts. Some take the bus. Hopefully, the pictures capture some of this flavor, so you all can feel a bit of the joy in providing the necessities of life to these dear families. Thank you!

Groceries today came from Bellevue Presbyterian, Highland Covenant, Bellevue Christian Reformed, and St. Louise churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 124 orders came today and all went out to families, plus about another 16 orders from the food boxes. It was a busy day. Thank you to everyone who donated today!

Lots of fresh garden vegetables and fruits were delivered here today.

Holy Cross Lutheran gardeners, Creekside Covenant gardeners, and the King County Demonstration Master gardeners all brought their freshly picked items this morning. Wow! What a bounty! These people know how to grow things. It is so fun to put in the market such as fresh items. We handed four boxes full of a nice selection to four specific families who strongly prefer fruits and vegetables. They were delighted. Thank you!

Lots of pantry items came in all morning, many with the grocery orders. Larger deliveries from National Charity League and 24-Seven Church also arrived. Volunteers put it all way in the afternoon. Thank you to everyone who gave to fill the pantry back up!

The market and exit line tables were all full today. Volunteers brought food from the QFC Crossroads. Extras came in with groceries, too.

GOOD PLANeT FOODS also donated a large selection of their plant-based cheeses for a second time. There was a very nice selection for people to choose from. Thank you!

The food truck will be here tomorrow night, 4-7pm. Ay Guey is a very tasty taco truck. Try the Quesadillas Pastor with pineapple. Wow!

A few stories from Ken:

Many of you were touched by the story last week of the newly arrived family from Tanzania, Africa who was in desperate need of food. I’m still seeking a complete update to pass back to you. We’re coming around them, as is the school district. In the meantime, there is a desire to find two bikes for the two younger children, 8 and 12 years old. If anyone has a used bike to donate, please email me back. Thank you. More to come. Please pray for this family.
The wife whose husband is receiving treatment for a reoccurring brain tumor was here today and gave me an update. He finished radiation and is now receiving chemotherapy infusions once per month, which will be this Friday. Tomorrow is the date that has been circled on their calendar, as he will have the first MRI scan since treatment began. It will show if the tumor has changed with the treatment or not. She is very anxious and scared it will bring bad news. The scan is at 9:40am tomorrow at Overlake. Please pray for them. She will return Saturday with an update. She said he is struggling with the treatment. It has made him very confused and unable to understand basic things. More updates to come.
The mom whose 3-year-old son has been having seizures was here to update me as well. Her son is stable right now, and they have an important appointment at Children’s Hospital on August 31. She showed me a lovely family picture of her son’s recent baptism at St. Anthony Parish in Renton. She was very excited and proud to tell me about it. Please pray for this family.

Thank you for another great day. The first half of the week is complete. It looks like rain the next couple of days, which will be a change from the heat. Thank you for all you’re doing to support these dear families.

Blessings to you all,

Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH
On behalf of the Jubilee family

Groceries for Families began in March 2020 to serve families financially affected by the pandemic. Over 25 organizations and churches have partnered with Jubilee REACH to provide families with groceries, hygiene items, and supplies.

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