Boy, the threat of rain was all around this place today, especially in the afternoon. Dark clouds came just before 1pm, and it looked like we would be working in the wet. Not a drop fell! Somehow, whatever rain was in the area went right around this place. It turned out to be a lovely day of weather – plenty warm and dry. The pace for families arriving was steady all afternoon. There wasn’t a minute without people in line. It sure makes time go quickly.

Groceries today came from Creekside Covenant, Westminster Chapel, Cornerstone, Crossroads Bible, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 140 orders came in and all went out to families today, including 6 by delivery. (We actually ran short of groceries today by 17 orders, but fortunately had the food boxes described below to use, so had plenty of food.) Thanks to everyone who participated today.

The food boxes from Pacific Coast came at 7:15am this morning. Early! The driver kindly kept them all refrigerated until 7:45am, when people were here to help unload the cold items. Viviente Dios Methodist Church came at 9:30am to take 150 boxes to their community in White Center. The crew pulled the cold items from the remaining boxes into refrigeration.

Knowing the grocery count would be short today, we removed excess potatoes and onions from the boxes and did a quick QFC run to add eggs, tomatoes, bread, and chips. They made for excellent grocery orders! At 2:45pm, we started filling them back up with the cold items and passed them out to families. Each family received two boxes, filled with great food.

Barb and the lunch crew cooked, packed, and delivered 25 lunches to senior citizens in the community today. In talking last week to a 92-year-old recipient of these lunches, she shared how much enjoyment she gets from them on Tuesday. First, she has something fun to look forward to. She also doesn’t have to cook, and the lunch usually stretches into multiple meals. She loves the variety and extras which make the meals so special: entrée, salad, cookies, beverage, snacks, encouraging note, and more. Most importantly to her is the visit by a friendly and known person. She loves the conversation and having a person in her life, which is so isolated right now. Thank you, lunch crew!

No market today because the food boxes take up the area. We had a mini-market in the exit line, like yesterday. Tomorrow will have a good-sized market, for sure.

Last week, a few of you stocked us up with small items to pass out to the children in line. Each day we watch for the little ones with their parents and judge the right items for the child. It is so fun presenting it to them, getting down at their level, and seeing their eyes light up. Today, we gave a 3 year old an Eric Carle book with little animal figures. Another 4-5 year old girls was given a Frozen 2 book with figures. A small boy was given a Hot Wheels car. The parents smile as much as the kids. It’s working! Thank you to all who gave to this.

An email from a family today:

Muchas gracias. Haciéndole saber también que esta ayuda con los víveres ha sido y es de gran apoyo para mi familia,ya que llevo 2 meses solo trabajando la mitad de tiempo,y esto nos ha ayudado grandemente,gracias a Dios y a las personas que han podido colaborar tanto con los víveres y las que han donado su tiempo para atendernos.Dios les bendiga,multiplique y les llene de salud . GRACIAS.BENDICIONES.

Just wanted to let you know that the help with diapers has been a big support for my family now that I have only been working part-time for the past two months and this has been a great help. Thank God and all the people who have given so much with the diapers and the people who have donated their time to attend us. God bless you, multiply, and give you health. THANK YOU. BLESSINGS.

Thanks for a wonderful day. There are many, many good things coming out of this ‘Groceries for Families’ program. If you haven’t yet come for a tour behind the scenes, please email so you can come. The invitation is open nearly any morning.

Have a great evening, wherever you are,

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

Groceries for Families: Week 16 - Day 2

Groceries for Families: Week 16 - Day 3

Groceries for Families: Week 16 - Day 1