June 24, 2021

It feels like week 65 is ending just in time before the intense heat comes. It’s been a good week, with a smooth operation each day. We’re so very fortunate to avoid the high temperatures, though. The morning today was a steady in-flow of happy people dropping off all sorts of donations. Thank you, everyone. The afternoon was a typical Thursday, with a slow but steady flow of families. Having the tomatoes and vaccine clinic here definitely slowed down the turnover of the parking lot, which is fine but was noticeable. It was another good week. Thank you.

Groceries today were provided by Highland Covenant, Sacred Heart School and Parish, Crossroads Bible, Doxa, First United Methodist, Bellevue Presbyterian, Victory Court and Overlake Park Presbyterian churches, as well as Champions Foundation and the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 148 orders came in today and all went out to families. Thank you to everyone who donated.

The AM crew was primarily from Crossroads Bible Church today. They were a mix of returning and new volunteers to the shift. They also had 5 teenagers, which is easier now that school is out. They worked hard all morning receiving groceries and packing bags of produce. Thank you, crew!

The vaccine clinic with ICHS was here for a third day, out on the grass in the shade. They vaccinated about 12 people, which makes the weekly total about 30 people. Their team was happy with the numbers, which is great.

The final 100 or so tomato plants were handed out to families today by volunteers. Bob and Carol were here all three days to pass them out. Families loved receiving the plants. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.

Pastor Gerardo came this afternoon to pick up remaining market food for his White Center neighborhood. It’s great that food can reach homes this evening, instead of being in Jubilee refrigerators. His operation is running right now, as this email goes out.

As you would expect, we generate a lot of recycling here, primarily cardboard boxes. Our blue bin is only 2 yards, so it fills up fast. Pre-pandemic, pick up was once weekly. Last summer we went to twice weekly. Last fall we went to Mon, Wed, Fri pick up. It still overfills quickly. A fun picture of Phil compacting it down is attached. We do what we have to do.

A few stories and updates:

Lily came again today to take sandwiches to downtown Seattle for the homeless. She has made this her weekly ministry. Here’s what she emailed back: “Today was a blessing day new people to give sandwiches. Kyle very grateful to receive them. One of the homeless saw me with the box and he told me if I need help and I told him I was ok, but one of the guys told me that he hasn't eat for while and he was waiting for The Mission to open so i give him a sandwich and I didn't need to think twice and I give to him. My daughter was her first time going with me And she was all worried because she didn't know what to expect. But for her surprise some homeless people already know me and she saw that and went along. 😄😁😆 And sorry for the pictures it was my son turn to take pictures and appreciate him but there were not what I usually i take.”

Jared is a special needs boy who comes with his mom weekly. He needed a vaccine but wouldn’t get out of the car. So, Trenton and his mom calmed him and distracted him in the car. The nurse came right to the window to give him the shot. It wasn’t his favorite experience, but it is done. His mom is happy.

Dycen and Eddvin are two site coaches who had their last GFF shift today. They have been anchors on the Thursday crew. Eddvin has been part of the operation since the very beginning in spring 2020. They will have next week off before starting summer school for the BSD. Thank you, fellas!

There is one more week remaining in the current operation. We are in the process of communicating to all 162 of the families which will continue in phase 3. That is not an easy task, as not everyone receives communication the same way. Denisse, Daniel and Trenton are working steadily on it. If you want to read details of Phase 3, look at Tuesday’s email this week.

Thank you for another great week of ‘Groceries for Families’. Things feel like they are moving forward very well. Please continue to pray for these families and the transition coming up. We’re continuing to move forward on faith.

Have a great weekend,

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