GROCERIES FOR FAMILIES

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 6/14/21 Jubilee REACH Communications 6/14/21

Groceries for Families: Week 63 - Day 2

Kiddingly, some of you report back you wouldn’t know the daily weather if not for these emails. Well, you’re welcome. 😊 Today was simply lovely – the kind of day where you almost don’t even notice the weather much because it was so nice. It makes for a wonderful GFF operation. The morning was a typically busy Wednesday, with many happy people delivering donations of groceries, pantry, and hygiene items. Thank you, everyone! The afternoon was also a typically busy Wednesday, with families lining up across the lawn to open and keeping up a very steady pace all afternoon. It was a smooth day.

June 9, 2021

Groceries today were provided by St. Louise Parish, 24-Seven, Bellevue Christian Reformed, Calvary Chapel Eastside, Indian Fellowship, Newport Covenant, Crossroads Bible, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Bellevue Rotary Club, the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 191 orders were brought today and all went out to families, along with 19 carried over from yesterday. Thank you to everyone who donated.

The AM crew came from Bellevue Presbyterian Church today, mostly a returning group of veteran volunteers to the shift. They did great receiving all the deliveries and getting the operation ready to open for the afternoon. Thank you, crew!

Fresh produce from local gardens has started to show up at Jubilee.

Radishes from the Creekside Covenant garden came yesterday. Today a delivery of unique spinach came from the King County Master Gardeners. Thank you!

If anyone has connections to a local garden, feel free to send them to Jubilee if they need a way to get produce to families in need. What fun!

A picture of the Costco driver, Rick (left) who brings eggs to Jubilee 2-3 times each week. He’s a nice man who takes good care of our order and delivers with a smile. After he departs Lynnwood, we are usually his first stop around 7:30am.

We told him this morning that on the map of how ‘Groceries for Families’ works, there is a place on it for him. He is important and matters to the overall operation. Put in those terms, it caught him off guard and brought out some emotion from him. He thanked us for the opportunity for him to contribute. It was a nice exchange.

A few stories and updates:

Georgina brought her sweet six-year-old Alexa today to greet the crew just before we opened at 1pm. They’ve been profiled in this email before. Alexa brought four pictures she and her sister had drawn for us. She got a nice hug for that. Then, they presented us with two boxes of beautifully decorated chocolate-covered strawberries. Georgina is quite talented. It is quite special to be loved by such families through gifts of food.

Maria brought the crew beef soup and Mexican rice today. It will be tomorrow’s lunch. Her knee is healing from surgery last month, but the physical therapy is quite difficult.

A note from a family, as summarized by Daniel or Trenton: “Your program has helped me a lot because since I haven't had a lot of work, I've been able to save some money. This food and supplies to clean and other essentials like toilet paper or paper towels have been a blessing. Since I've lived in the US, I hadn't received any other help, which is the first time. Everything you give me really impacts my life. Thank you.”

A note from a family, as summarized by Daniel or Trenton: “It's been a huge help to our family to come to Jubilee because every week we get food and cleaning stuff, all especially since my husband is not working. He works side jobs but they're not consistent so it's hard to know if we'll have enough to make it through the week. But we know there will be food, for sure. Everything you give is great. Thank you for continuing, as long as you can.”

As mentioned here yesterday, the conversations with families who think they will need help after July 1, finished on Monday. We are reading through the 155 responses and notes to understand the need better. From that information, the framework of Phase 3 is becoming more clear. Details will be sent out to all partner organizations later this week for their own review and discernment. Stay tuned. The transition feels to be on schedule and going well. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Thanks for a very nice Wednesday. The operation is very calm and smoothly humming along. There is a very nice community that has formed at Jubilee on each of the three days. You can see the exchange between some of the families, as well as with the staff. We call certainly feel it and can see it right in front of us. Equally, there is a community each morning with all of the donors dropping off donations. We are all doing life together.

Blessings to you all,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 6/14/21 Jubilee REACH Communications 6/14/21

Groceries for Families: Week 63 - Day 1

We begin week 63 of ‘Groceries for Families’ with a step back to spring-like weather after the summer heat of last week. It actually felt great and was very conducive to the operation. The morning was cool but pleasant. By the afternoon, it started to get warm under the canopies. This evening looks like rain could becoming. The morning here was busy with happy people dropping off all sorts of donations: diapers, hygiene, pantry. Thank you, everyone! Families kept up a slow but steady pace all afternoon. It seemed slower than a normal Tuesday, which could be for any number of reasons. Those who came were greeted in friendship and went home with lots of essentials. Very nice day here.

June 8, 2021

Groceries today were provided by Westminster Chapel, Cornerstone Fellowship, Bellevue Christian Reformed, Bellevue Presbyterian, Crossroads Bible, Creekside Covenant, East Shore Unitarian, St. Madeleine Sophie, and Covenant Presbyterian churches, as well as Bellevue Kiwanis Club and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 172 orders came in today and all but 17 went out to families today. The remaining few will go out first thing tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who donated today.

The AM crew were a group of general volunteers today, all returning veterans of the shift. They worked hard on a busy Tuesday receiving all the incoming deliveries. They packed about 60 plastic bags with fresh produce and eggs, getting the operation ready for the afternoon. Thank you, crew!

Thank you to the stores which donate food and the volunteers which bring it to Jubilee. It all fills the market daily. Kathy & Dale deliver from Safeway Thrasher’s Corner; Rick delivers from Amazon Fresh; Mike, Gil & Kyle deliver from QFC Crossroads; Fred delivers from Trader Joes Overlake; Duanne & Bob deliver from Safeway Overlake via Renewal Food Bank; Gil & Mike deliver from a Local Distributor; Fred delivers from Whole Foods Bellevue. Thank you all!

Senior lunches went out to 30 people in the community today. Homemade chicken salad with walnuts and cranberries on a fresh croissant was the meal, along with lots of extras. All were made and packed with lots of love. One of the seniors was in a car accident recently, so a card and flowers were included for her. Thank you Gina, Theresa, and Sheri for your wonderful service today.

A Starbucks in downtown Bellevue donated two carloads of frozen food this afternoon: breakfast sandwiches, croissants, loaves of bread, and more. It will go out into the market tomorrow. Thank you, Larry & Bettina.

A few stories and updates:

A few weeks ago, this email highlighted Hadassah, a 9-year-old who made a poster for the crew and led us in prayer. Today, her mom and two younger sisters joined her during the opening orientation. Six-year-old Adrianna led us in prayer, which was incredibly moving for everyone. Such a sweet family. Mom, Esther, was beaming with pride.

Victor is a man who comes on Thursday, always right at the end of the shift at 3:30pm. He’s very nice and always brings his smile, despite being obviously tired from work. We learned a little more of his story recently. He is a single dad with two children and, last year was actually homeless and unemployed. He was lost in a culture he doesn’t understand. Somehow, an angel came in the form of a man he didn’t know. This man helped them find housing and find Victor a job in construction out in Fall City. He found Jubilee and GFF through his kid’s school, which stabilized their food insecurity. Their lives are now calm for the first time in a long time, although they are barely making it. They are happy and have each other. He expressed his immense gratitude for the support he receives here.

Angelina, who often makes the crew lunch, sent a nice note: “Coming to Jubilee has been such a big help to our family because everything we get is stuff we need. Nowadays, everything is so expensive, that even $100 doesn’t get you anything. Honestly, everything we receive at Jubilee is things we use. Never have we wasted anything provided. We use it all. Thank you!

A note from a family, summarized by Daniel: “This support has meant everything. It changed our lives. The boys lost their dad, which left us in debt. The first few years he was gone we lived with his mom. The debt was so big though, and then she died, so we had to move again. We rented an apartment that we share, but we're thankful we have a place to live. I started to work more at Starbucks because we needed money. When the program started it was a blessing because we didn't have to buy certain things like those essentials you give. The school gave us some help but we couldn't buy toiletries, but we had that here at Jubilee. We did not have to buy meats. Getting all this food now, given that I work more, my kids are helping me in the kitchen a little more. Thank you.”

The Phase 3 conversations with the families finished yesterday. The numbers grew from 75 last Monday to 120 on Friday to 155 yesterday. So, after four weeks of listening to families to hear their needs, there are 155 families which came forward to say they will need help after July 1. This is about 1/5 of the peak numbers in the spring and about 1/4 of the current numbers. As we know other families will still come, a waiting list will be started, but Phase 3 will now be designed around these numbers to start and all the feedback they provided. We have detailed information about their stories, their needs, and how much support best helps. The framework of Phase 3 of GFF will be rolled out to the partner leaders & organizers this week, inviting them into their own discernment. Details will be shared in this email and through other communication in the coming days and weeks. Please pray for this transition. Pray for the families which will not be continuing to Phase 3. Thank you.

We begin this week with 604 families in ‘Groceries for Families’. The steady downward trend has continued since the peak of 750 in the early spring. We’re wondering how attendance will happen this month, as most of these families will finish with GFF by July 1. They all have been invited to come right to the end. It will be sad to say goodbye to so many of them.

Thank you for another great day. Your continued support has sustained this program daily, weekly, monthly. Thank you!

Have a great evening, wherever this email finds you,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 6/7/21 Jubilee REACH Communications 6/7/21

Groceries for Families: Week 62 - Day 3

We finish week 62 of ‘Groceries for Families’ on a good note, with a smooth operation and cooler weather. Today had all the sun of the past two days, without the intense heat, especially under the canopies. It was a lovely day of weather. The morning was calm with many happy people dropping off groceries, pantry, and hygiene items. Thank you, everyone. Families kept a slow but steady pace all afternoon, with the last 45 minutes being the busiest. Lots of food & other items went home with people today. Love that!

June 3, 2021

Groceries today were provided by Sacred Heart Parish & School, Overlake Park Presbyterian, Highland Covenant, Crossroads Bible, Bellevue Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Victory Court, Doxa and Lighthouse churches, as well as Champions Foundation, Rotary Bellevue Sunrise, and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 173 orders came in today and all went out to families. Thank you to everyone who donated.

The morning volunteers were from Overlake Park Presbyterian Church today, with a mix of returning and new people. They worked hard all morning to receive all the incoming deliveries and pack 60 bags of food to get the afternoon started. Thank you, crew.

Lily returned this morning to take two boxes of sandwiches to the homeless in downtown Seattle. She sent back some pictures and some of her notes from the day. She’s a busy lady as a single mom with two kids. She works part-time at an Issaquah restaurant and is a full-time student with an online program in Mexico. She has class twice daily. She wants and needs to work more, but there is a lot to juggle, especially with kids home so much with online school. She has such a good heart for helping others and has made the downtown trips her mission.

A picture of Jakeh is attached, who is a Jubilee REACH Site Coach at Big Picture School. He’s been a major part of the GFF since the beginning and often leads us with his beautiful prayers on Thursdays.

After four years at Jubilee, he is moving back to Montana to get married. His last day will be in a couple weeks, and we are all going to miss him. He’s a good man and made a difference in the countless lives of students.

Now comes a new and exciting chapter in life. Please send him off with your prayers.

A few updates and stories:

Shahin was at Jubilee today and stopped in to chat a bit. She is busy designing the headstone for her husband’s gravesite. It’s hard to believe he’s been gone since February 27. It was June 6 of last year that we first learned his brain cancer had returned. She showed us some artwork her daughter is drawing; she’s quite talented. Please continue to pray for them, as they enter summer without their husband/father.

Lunch came from two different Maria’s today. One brought peppers stuffed with Italian sausage. The other group a Mexican beef & potato soup. Maria #2 had knee surgery a month ago and drove herself today for the first time. She is in physical therapy and slowly healing.

A note from a family, summarized by Daniel: “At first, it was hard to come to Jubilee because I was very shy. I wasn't sure I wanted to receive help. My neighbors who came to Jubilee encouraged me to come. We used to clean restaurants, but when everything shut down that all went away. When my husband stopped working, we did not miss a meal because we had food because of Jubilee. Thank you.”

A note from a family, summarized by Daniel: “For our family, the help from Jubilee has been the biggest help we have gotten during the pandemic. Everything we receive is one less cost that we don't have to make. I'm not working, so the money we have it's limited. The money my husband makes is able to pay for our housing, so having this food means we don't worry if we're going to have enough. Thank you.”

Last week, this email profiled a woman who is starting a full-time nanny position, so her family won’t need help from the GFF program any longer. Yesterday, she showed up after the operation was complete simply to turn in her GFF identification card (which is not required). Although the card was very tattered, she wanted her number to go to another family. She expressed her gratitude for all the support, which allowed her family to get back to a place where they can support themselves again. She is very happy.

Tomorrow and Monday will be the last two days Trenton and Daniel will be at Jubilee to talk with families who may need support past July 1. Please pray for their conversations. It is very clear families have been going through a process of discernment the past month, which is wonderful. Next week, we expect to be able to map out the operational framework and needed level of support for Phase 3. It will be rolled out to all partners by the end of the week. Thank you for your prayers and patience. Stay tuned.

Thank you for another great week of ‘Groceries for Families’. Please continue to pray for these families and this operation. Thank you for your continued support in so many ways.

Have a great weekend,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 6/7/21 Jubilee REACH Communications 6/7/21

Groceries for Families: Week 62 - Day 2

Out came the fans today! The building was wide open at 7am, with fans blowing in the cool morning air. In the afternoon, we took fans out to the grocery area to keep air moving under the canopies a little. Still, it was warm by 8am and hot in the afternoon. The morning was lovely weather for those dropping off groceries and other items. Thank you, everyone! The families kept a slow but steady pace for the afternoon, but then had a big rush in the last 30 minutes. It’s likely they heat-kept people home until the end. Overall, it was a good day in ‘Groceries for Families’.

June 2, 2021

Groceries today were provided by Newport Covenant, St. Louise, 24-Seven, Indian Fellowship, Crossroads Bible, Calvary Chapel Eastside, Bellevue Christian Reformed, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Rotary Club of Bellevue, the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 216 orders came in today and all but 24 went out today. The remaining will go out first thing tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who donated today.

The AM crew was from Bellevue Presbyterian today and all were veterans of this shift. They made quick work of all the tasks of the morning, including receiving the many deliveries today. Thank you and well-done crew!

Tomato plants were donated today by a local gardener, Pat Roome, and delivered by a regular volunteer, Linda Igoe. We’ll pass these out to families tomorrow, which will be a welcome gift, for sure. Thank you, Pat and Linda!

A picture of a grocery cart is to the left, showing the food a family receives now, with the USDA boxes gone.

One bag is the non-perishables brought by a donor this morning. One gallon of milk, also brought by a donor this morning. About 1 pound of frozen meat. One plastic bag packed with eggs, tomatoes, bananas, zucchini, garlic, green pepper, carrots, and lettuce.

Families of 7 or more people receive two orders of each food type. Not pictured is another bag of pantry items added.

A picture of a ticket is to the right, we use this each day. It lists all the pantry items available to a family that day. They receive the ticket when they check-in and have a few minutes to circle the items they need. It is then taken by a staff member to pack.

The top items rotates each week from paper towels to laundry pods. Otherwise, the list is consistent each week.

For those of you who donate these pantry items, this is how they get to families at the end of the chain.

A few updates and stories:

We had a woman come to tell us how grateful her family is for the assistance and food. She said they have been to other food banks in the past and always felt like they were getting the oldest and worst food. Most is canned food; nothing is fresh. Here, they feel cared for because the food is fresh and offers them a balanced variety. She also recognizes how much effort is put into making this program run. She was thankful to everyone.

We had a bit of a reunion here today. Jorge is a Jubilee coach at Phantom Lake Elementary. Previously, he was at Big Picture school. A woman in the program recognized him as his daughter’s former soccer coach at Big Picture. They have a nice exchange in the middle of the grocery operation.

A man came to talk to Daniel last Friday about Phase 3. They connected personally by both being from Mexico and liking soccer. Daniel shared a bit about his own dad being stoic, not showing much emotion. The man agreed; he feels it is important he remains strong and not show emotion, so his kids see him that way. Then, moments later, this same man began sobbing as he was telling Daniel about their situation. He was overcome by emotion. He shared how the money they save by the Jubilee program providing them so many essentials has allowed them to not fall behind on many other bills. He even allowed a small gift for his 7-year-old daughter recently, bringing a smile to them both.

Daniel and Trenton have both shared how emotionally draining it has been for them to talk with families. Hearing the personal stories adds weight to their role here. Yes, both have said talking to the families is exactly what we need to be doing. Families are very, very happy to have the chance to share and be heard. They trust us and want to tell their story. Being face to face with them is key. All have been very affirming that this program is working. They know how much thought and care goes into helping them. One person said, “it feels like a party coming to Jubilee.” One woman was a bit more closed off, saying, “you don’t know what I’m going through.” She’s right. Yet, it is good we are all here for her, in whatever way that means for her.

We’re continuing to communicate with families about the coming next phase of GFF. Notes went into all the grocery bags today reminding them there are two more opportunities to come talk to us, June 4 & 7. One lady asked for an application today. We told her there is no application, just a conversation. It made her smile. She will come Friday. Right now, there are about 75 families which have come to chat.

Thank you for another nice day of ‘Groceries for Families’. Please continue to pray for these families. For sure, we do not know much about what is going on in their daily lives. Hopefully, the small role we all play in their lives is a ray of joy, friendship, happiness, and hope.

Blessings to you all,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 6/7/21 Jubilee REACH Communications 6/7/21

Groceries for Families: Week 62 - Day 1

We begin week 62 of ‘Groceries for Families’ with the arrival of summer, seemingly so. For the first time all year, it was warm in the morning. Even the 7:30am volunteers were in short sleeves. By 10am, the warmth could really be felt under the canopies. By the afternoon, it was hot, at least for Western WA people not used to it. Doors and windows were open at Jubilee. Fans have been pulled out of storage. The operation today ran very smoothly. Lots of happy people came into the parking lot all morning with groceries, pantry, and hygiene items. Thank you, everyone. Families started with a short line at open but kept a steady pace through the afternoon. It was a normal Tuesday.

June 1, 2021

Groceries today were provided by St. Madeleine Sophie, Crossroads Bible, Creekside Covenant, East Shore Unitarian, Bellevue Presbyterian, Westminster Chapel, Bellevue Christian Reformed, Covenant Presbyterian, and Cornerstone Fellowship churches, as well as the Bellevue Kiwanis Club and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 163 came in today and all went out to families. Thank you to everyone who donated.

The AM crew was a group of general volunteers today. They worked hard all morning receiving deliveries and putting things away. Multiple large donations of flowers, along with donors bringing bouquets, also kept them busy making small bouquets. Near the end of their shift, they packed about 65 bags with eggs and produce. Thank you, crew!

Today was the first day without the USDA food boxes. Nationwide, the program ended yesterday. Sadly, there are 36 locations around western WA that won’t have food this week for the first time in a long time. We utilized the many donated plastic grocery bags to pack eggs and fresh produce. Each family received one bag. Then, we used frozen meat to give each family at least 1 pound of protein. They had a choice between two kinds – today was chicken or beef. We saved a lot of apples, onions, and potatoes from boxes over the last month, so put some in the market today. Operationally, it works great. It is good timing to have the boxes disappear. Thank you to those who donate cash, which goes toward the purchase of fresh foods each day.

Senior lunches went out to 32 people in the community today. A lovely chef salad and an assortment of goodies were packaged by Barb. She, Gina, and Theresa delivered them around the city late this morning. Thank you, ladies, for all the love your pour into your work.

A few stories and updates:

A family has been coming on Tuesday for at least a year. The mom brings her son, Juan, each week. Juan had brain surgery, so he has a big scar across his head. He has a lot of energy and often comes around to greet the crew. We remember him all last summer and have watched him grow up a bit over the last year. Today, Trenton played with him a bit and put him on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, which got him excited and distracted him enough to allow his mom to take care of the groceries.

We helped a woman today who is diabetic and found herself with low blood sugar. She sat at the picnic tables and had some apple juice to stabilize. She shared that she has given up both bread and tortillas (she is Hispanic). Her numbers are better, and she has lost 6 pounds. It was a nice moment with her.

Last Friday, one man shared with Daniel a bit of his story. He is undocumented and trying hard to care for his family of 5. He has construction work but only about 30 hours a week. The rest of the time, he stands outside Home Depot to pick up work. Recently, he picked up a $1600 job from a man to do some significant wall reconstruction. He brought a friend to help him. When complete, the homeowner refused to pay because they don’t have a business license. The man had no leverage to force the homeowner to pay. He told Daniel, of course, he is angry and now behind one week in earning money, but he has to move on. However, because of ‘Groceries for Families,’ he is not scared because he knows food will be provided, which is very important.

Trenton shared a quick profile of a woman who came last Friday to talk about Phase 3. She is divorced and receives no child support for her three children. She is raising them alone and struggles to find work. She is stuck. It was a difficult story to hear.

We begin week 62 with 613 families registered in ‘Groceries for Families’ and 31 on the waiting list. (Waiting list families still receive food weekly.) This is down from 639 last week, so a significant drop. Attendance today was down a little from normal. This trend has been continuing all spring.

We’re continuing to meet with families on Friday and Monday. To be considered for Phase 3, they are required to come to talk with us in person. Last Friday, about 20 families came. We were closed yesterday. In total, there are about 75 families which have come. There are two more opportunities for families to come chat. Next week, we will be looking at the collective need and be building the framework of Phase 3. Stay tuned.

Thanks for a great start to the week. Thanks also for your encouraging words and affirming comments, as you drop off donations. Knowing your hearts are so connected to these families, fills us all up with energy and drive to continue each day.

Enjoy the warmth of this summer evening in Bellevue,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 5/28/21 Jubilee REACH Communications 5/28/21

Groceries for Families: Week 61 - Day 3

As expected, today’s weather was all over the place, including lots of rain, wind, sun, and even some thunder. The wind causes the most havoc with the operation. Fortunately, the temperature was warm enough. It made things difficult all day, but we got through it. It helped by looking at the lovely forecast next week. Overall, we end this week on a positive note. The morning was busy with people braving the weather to drop off groceries, pantry, and hygiene items. Thank you, everyone! The afternoon was a mix of busy & slow periods. In the end, lots of food went home with families today. A very nice day.

May 27. 2021

Groceries today were provided by Lighthouse, Victory Court, First United Methodist, Overlake Park Presbyterian, Crossroads Bible, Doxa, Sacred Heart Parish & School, Highland Covenant, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as Champions Foundation, Rotary Bellevue Sunrise, and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 231 orders came in today (thank you for the extras!) and all but 24 went out today. The remaining will go out first thing Tuesday. Thank you to everyone who donated today.

The morning crew was from Sacred Heart Parish today. It was a nice mix of returning and new volunteers. They worked hard all morning receiving the many deliveries, as well as packing about 65 food boxes with fresh produce. The food truck came at 10:45am, so we weren’t rushed like the past two days. Thank you, crew!

Today was the last day for the USDA food boxes at Jubilee. The program ends nationally on Monday. We’ve enjoyed utilizing this program since late September and have benefited from a strong relationship with Cascadia Produce. Beginning next week, we will pack bags of fresh produce and eggs puchased daily and offer frozen meat, which we have in the freezers already. It is the same operation we ran in January when there was a break in the food boxes, and it worked very well.

As you know, we’ve been icing and insulating the pallets of food boxes for about two months. It’s a practice that has since been shared with other locations by the Medosweet drivers, as they sought to also keep food cold. It was worked incredibly well, and the weather has certainly cooperated. Most mornings have remained cool and the warm temperatures have been mainly ’60-70s. We’ve not faced higher temperatures in the 80’s. In fact, we’ve watched the weather each week, wondering when such a test would come. It never happened. Amazingly, the warmer temperatures are coming next week. It feels like there has been a hedge of protection over the GFF, in regards to the weather. We’ve been very blessed.

A few stories and updates:

Sasha is a 32-year-old single man who has been in our program since last summer. We’ve not learned a lot about him over the months, but today he asked for some time to talk privately. He shared that he is in his last few quarters of school at Bellevue College to earn a degree in Cyber Security. He has chosen to live in his car for the past three years, so he can save as much money as possible. He’s very excited about graduating, getting a job, and starting his life for real. Earlier this month, his car was stolen at Bellevue College. This forced him to use a chunk of his savings to buy a 2010 Honda. He’s overcome his anger and disappointment and actually was able to count his blessings. He is at peace with it. He wasn’t asking for anything more; it seemed he just wanted to share. We offered him a gas card, but he declined. The food he has received has helped him immensely. He cannot take perishable food, because he is in his car. Any extra, he shares with his mom in Puyallup. He’s a good man, battling to finish school and start a new life. Please pray for him.

Jose is a man we’ve profiled a few times in this email. He comes on Wednesdays early in the morning, so he can get to work at a restaurant in Sammamish. We’ve given him 5 extra food boxes the past few weeks to take to his kitchen crew, which gives him a lot of joy to provide. Yesterday, we asked if he would be coming to talk with us about any help his family would need past July 1. He thought about it and said he thinks they can make it. This is a very positive sign. With seven weeks’ notice, it seems families have the time and space to assess their situation. He’s a good man. Please pray for his family.

Two families from Morocco showed up about 4pm this afternoon asking for help with food. We were able to provide them both groceries, food boxes, and milk. One family recently arrived with the wife pregnant. They are living with the other family, trying to help each other. The wife expressed how happy she is to see Bellevue so diverse. They are also finding the community to be very supportive of people like them, including Jubilee. We’ll see if they come back next week or not.

Tomorrow will be the fourth day Trenton and Daniel will be at Jubilee to talk with families about needing continued support. So far, there are about 55 families who have come. We’re expecting the pace to pick up, so tomorrow could be a busy day of conversations. We expect to wrap up such conversations by June 7, which will give an opportunity to build the framework of Phase 3 of GFF. Stay tuned. Please pray for the conversations tomorrow. We are wanting to be led through this entire process.

Thank you for another great week of ‘Groceries for Families’. Please continue to pray for these families and this operation. Thank you for your continued support in so many ways.

Have a great weekend,

Ken Carpenter
Director- Community Care, 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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