Today felt like a great day - lots of activity and everything humming along. The crew worked hard on both shifts and seemed to enjoy it at every turn. Such great people! The morning was very steady with incoming groceries, and the afternoon was a constant flow of families coming in. The weather was just great, cool in the morning, and warm in the afternoon.

Groceries today came from Cornerstone, Bellevue Presbyterian, Creekside Covenant, Westminster Chapel, and Crossroads Bible churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 128 orders came in and all went out to families today, including 3 by delivery. We actually ran out of normal grocery orders about 2:40pm, so used 17 of the food boxes, which make for excellent substitutes. Thank you to everyone who donated today!

The delivery truck from Pacific Coast arrived early today with five pallets of food boxes.

Three went directly into vehicles to El Dios Viviente Church in Seattle.

The remaining two had all perishables taken out by volunteers into refrigeration.

It’s great to have this extra cushion to use as needed.

No formal market was set up today because the food boxes filled the space, but the tables in the exit line were very full of great stuff.

Volunteers brought a delivery from the QFC Crossroads.

Holy Cross Lutheran and the Master Gardeners brought a nice supply of fresh produce. Beyond the normal potatoes, onions and apples, there were pastry items, asparagus, corn, green & purple beans, cucumbers, baguettes, brussel sprouts, various fresh produce, and more. Wow! Thank you to everyone who gave to this.

Lunch was delivered to 25 seniors in the community by Barb and her crew today. She made a tasty seafood chowder with salmon and clams. Thank you ladies!

A few emails from families today:

Muchas gracias por ser el soporte de nuestra familia, ya que por la pandemia el lugar donde estaba trabajado habia sido cerrado despues de un tiempo esta abierto , pero mi empleador ha dicho que por el momento no se necesita muchos empleados asi que estoy en busca de un empleo, les estamos muy agradecidos por el trabajo que estan haciendo. Dios los bendiga grandemente.

Many thanks for being this support to our family. Due to the pandemic, the place I was working had been closed, was opened for some time, but my employer has told us that for the moment they do not need many employees so I am looking for employment. We are very thankful for the job you are doing. God bless you immensely.

Buenos dias, Quiero agradecerles con el Corazon toda su generosidad durante estos tiempos dificiles , donde Uds. Generosamente me han dado una ayuda muy importante y solo puedo pedir para Uds.bendiciones infinitas ,salud a raudales y que se multipliquen en ejemplo esta solidaridad que como a mi es una muestra de amor de este que tanto necesita el mundo en este momento. Agradecida por su apoyo y Dios bendiga su mission. Gracias, Esperanza

Good morning, I want to thank you with my heart for all your generosity during these difficult times in which you all generously have given me very important help and I can only ask for you all for infinite blessings, a flowing of health and may it be multiplied. This example of solidarity, for me, has been an example of love that this world needs at this moment. I am thankful for your support and God bless your mission. Thank you, Esperanza

Many of you have been asking about the families on the waiting list. As you’ve read, we’ve been inviting them to come twice a week for hospitality boxes. For some reason, this just hasn’t produced action, as very few are coming. With 60 families on the list, we made the decision late yesterday to onboard them into the program, trusting that there will be sufficient food available. Today, a staff member called each of them, and verbally invited everyone she spoke with to join the program fully. She reached about 30 people and about 26 came today already. It was so great to see new faces and walk them through how the operation works. She will try the other half again tomorrow. Please pray for these new families and that the food will remain available for all who are coming. This feels like the right decision and the right timing.

Thanks for another lovely day in this ‘Groceries for Families’ program. May you feel personally connected to it and be changed by it. Thank you for all the time, energy, treasure, and prayer you are providing. You are important!

Enjoy the warmth of the evening, wherever this finds you.

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

Groceries for Families: Week 20 - Day 2

Groceries for Families: Week 20 - Day 3

Groceries for Families: Week 20 - Day 1