This was a very nice way to end week 18 and day 108. The morning was very peaceful, with a cool temperature and blue skies. Grocery orders came in steadily and smoothly until about 9:30am. Families were slow to come, as many have realized there is no need to get up early on a Saturday. The second hour is always much busier than the first, and today was no exception. The crew was in good spirits and very efficient. All is well on the ship today! Enjoy the time-lapse – thanks, Sam.

Groceries today were provided by Victory Court, Evangelical Chinese, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 151 orders came in and all went out to families today. Thank you to everyone who participated today. So great to have so many groceries!

As you’ve been reading, those families on the waiting list are invited to come Saturdays at 12pm and Wednesdays at 3pm to receive groceries.

The crew puts together ‘hospitality bags’ of whatever extras can be acquired during the week, aiming to give a good balance of food and hygiene items.

See to the right for a picture of boxes being built today.

Of the 44 families on the waiting list, 14 came today and all received a very full box. Hopefully, we can build habits with these families, so they come regularly. Thank you to everyone providing extras.

The freezer here has a box kept stocked with frozen trout, made available to families who don’t eat meat.

A local fisherwoman catches them at a lake near Carnation, cleans and freezes them, before bringing them to Jubilee. They are very popular with a few specific families and have become a wonderful, silent addition to this daily program. See to the left for picture. Thank you, Linda!

There wasn’t a market today, but the center of the main aisle was full of apples, potatoes, and onions which all came in this week.

Today was the last day for bulk foods to be offered to families. They were able to choose 3 from a list of rice, pinto beans, sugar, salt, and flour. The crew has now flipped the entire lobby to be ready for hygiene to be offered on Monday. Thank you to everyone who helps fill the pantry each week.

One update from Ken:

The wife whose husband getting treatment for brain tumor was here this morning. She told me that her husband is finished with radiation but continuing with chemotherapy until the middle of August. While the overall signs of the brain tumor look good, the side effects are very difficult for him right now. Today is their daughter’s 16th birthday. A few of you dropped off lovely gifts for her, which were given to the mom today. She was very touched by the kindness. Please pray for this sweet family. They are going through a lot right now.

Here’s a quick count of the bulk food going out this week:

Flour- 101 bags or 208 lbs
Rice- 189 bags or 473 lbs
Pinto Beans- 193 bags or 232 lbs
Sugar- 274 bags or 206 lbs
Salt- 206 bags or 103 lbs

As with each Saturday, here’s a look at statistics to date after 18 weeks:

Program Days: 108
Families currently in the program: 556+
People in these families: 2502 (approximate)
Grocery orders provided to-date: 17,636
Churches & Organizations engaged: 28
Different shoppers participating: 1000 (approximate)

We end this week with about 556 families in the program, each coming twice per week. The waiting list is at 44 families, and we are providing options for groceries to each of them twice per week. There are 86 families who are exiting the program this week, so Monday will begin with 470 families in the program. There are already at least 22 families who have communicated they will leave the program after next week. Like you, we are watching the changes in the city, county, and state as it relates to jobs coming back, which is how many families will be able to support themselves again. We are praying it will be positive news.

Today marks the last day of week 18 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.

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

Groceries for Families: Week 18 - Day 6

Groceries for Families: Week 19 - Day 1

Groceries for Families: Week 18 - Day 5