Groceries for Families: Week 4 - Day 2

April 14, 2020

Today was a very busy day, with over 100 families coming.  People are arriving by 12:15 pm, and by 1:00 pm the line stretches across the lawn. The parking lot is very full.  Once we open up, things move very quickly, and there were a few comments today from families about how smooth the operation is.  They like it and the feedback is nice to hear. The weather is just lovely and makes everything so much easier.  So blessed!

Groceries were delivered today by Crossroads Bible, Cornerstone, Creekside Covenant and Bellevue Presbyterian churches.  A total of 114 orders came in and all were sent out today, including 10 delivered by Daniel Astudillo. To the right is a picture of Daniel.  He is a site coach at Lake Hills Elementary (also the Managing Site Coach for all Elementary Schools) and is my main partner in this program.  He is responsible for all the communication and organization of the families.  His focus is to onboard families into the program and get them here when all the groceries, personal hygiene, and bulk food items are ready to out.  He is just awesome!

Extra food arrived today from a local food bank, which allowed the “store” to be full.  A vehicle full of bulk food items were delivered by a donor, which instantly filled the inventory for later this week.  Thank you, Karen!  We’re now busy portioning it all into zip-lock bags.  Lots of personal hygiene items and extra food were included with many grocery orders, which is just awesome.  All of it is turned right around to go out to families. 

A few emails back from families to pass along to you:

Thank you for everything you are doing for us. I am very thankful for all your support. You are in my prayers so God may protect your lives. Thank you.  Sincerely, Mirian

Muchas gracias por todo lo que hacen por nosotros agradezco muchasimo su apoyo Estan en nuestras oraciones para que Dios proteja sus vidas gracias att Mirian

Hello! Good day to you all.  We are Alejandro, Shirley, and Matias. We are a Colombian family who arrived here about two years ago in search of a better future. Along the way we have found some difficulties but thanks to incredible people like yourselves we have overcome them. We are immensely grateful with you all for your support, help, goodness, contributions, your acts of kindness and love. Nothing would be the same without you all. To Jubilee, an infinite thanks! You guys are our family 💜 and to everyone and each one that makes this contribution to help the community, we also feel like you are part of our family and even though we do not know each other we keep you in our prayers and in our hearts. Blessings and health to you all 🙏🏼✨  Shirley CR

Hola, Buen día para todos!  Nosotros somos Alejandro, Shirley y Matias. Una familia Colombiana que llegó aquí hace dos años en busca de un mejor futuro.En el camino nos hemos encontrado con algunas dificultades pero gracias a personas increíbles como ustedes hemos logrado superarlas, estamos enormemente agradecidos con todos por su apoyo, su ayuda, su bondad, sus aportes, sus muestras de cariño y amor. Nada sería lo mismo sin ustedes! A Jubilee infinitas Gracias! Son nuestra familia 💜 y a todos y cada uno de los que hacen su aporte para ayudar a la comunidad también los sentimos parte de nuestra familia y así no los conozcamos los llevamos en nuestras oraciones y nuestro corazón. Bendiciones y Salud para todos 🙏🏼✨  Shirley CR

There are two new churches to welcome to this program: Westminster Chapel and Redeemer Church.  Welcome!

The waiting list is continuing to climb steadily.  We’re making plans to onboard new families beginning next week.  Please pray for the families, the program and all the shoppers which are sustaining it.  This is all making a tangible impact on many lives in our community.

Bless you all,
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH

Groceries for Families: Week 4 - Day 1

April 13, 2020

Today begins week for of this remarkable program.  Thank you for all your efforts to sustain it and keep so many people engaged in it.  Your communication to others in our community is how this will keep the program extended as long as it is needed.

The radio news today reported Washington state food banks are seeing demand doubling, while donations are down 70%.  The need is growing.  Because this program is by “invitation only” we do have some control over knowing the level of need.  However, families are continuing to be referred by the school district.

This week the program has 330 families participating.  This is up from 270 last week.  We won’t add any more this week, but will keep a waiting list to potentially add next week.

Groceries were delivered today by Rain City, CityHill, Lighthouse and Common Good churches.  A total of 80 families were served, which took 100%  of the grocery orders.  Five orders were delivered by Daniel.

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A few emails from families to pass along to you:

Hello, I'm Marcela. Thank you so much for helping with food and other necessities. God bless you always and may he multiply to the double. Thank you!

Hola soy Marcela, les agradezco mucho por ayudarnos con los alimentos y con otros artículos. Que dios los bendigan siempre y que les multipliquen al doble. -¡Gracias!

I am a mom of two boys and a baby girl of 8 months. I have never received helped. This is the first year. Thanks be to God and to all of you who make this possible that my family may have food. God bless every person that donates the food and all the workers at Jubilee. God bless each one of you.

Soy una mama de 2 niños y 1 niña bebe de 8 meses nunca había recibido alluda este es el primer año gracias a Dios y a todos los q hacen posible q yo y mi familia tengamos comida Dios bendiga a cada persona q dona la comida y a todos los trabajadores de jubilie q Dios bendiga a cada uno de ustedes.

Our family wants to thank you with all our heart for all the help you are giving. In these moments we are without a job and these groceries have been of much help for us as it is one less worry in our home. God bless you for your generous help.

Nuestra familia les queremos agradecer de todo corazón por toda esta ayuda que nos están dando, en estos momentos que nos quedamos sin trabajo estas despensas estas siendo de mucha ayuda para nosotros y es una preocupación menos para nuestro hogar. Dios los bendiga por tan generoso ayuda.

Thanks for the great partnership.  Let’s keep going together! 
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH

Groceries for Families: Week 3 - Day 6

April 11, 2020

The canopies came out today for the first time in over a week, with light rain off and on all morning.  The store area was very full with extra food from having box lunches out there the past two days.  People had lots to choose from.

Groceries were delivered today by Evangelical Chinese and Bellevue Presbyterian.  There were 90 families on the list, with all but 15 showing up.  Often on Saturday, some forget the AM slot and end up coming Monday, so we may see them then.  One delivery was done to a home.

The Easter gifts all went out today.  Lots of the groceries had Easter cards, candy and chocolate.  Thank you for adding so much the last three days for Easter.

Today is day 18, the last day of week 3.  It’s hard to believe.  We’re not measuring this program by numbers, but here are some fun stats for you:

• Program Days: 18

• Families currently in the program: 270+

• People in these families: 1215 (approximate)

• Grocery orders delivered: 1090

• Churches & Organizations engaged: 19

• Different shoppers participating: 500 (approximate)

One story to share with you:

“To begin I want to give thanks on behalf of my family and friends.  The work you are doing is beautiful. We are all blessed.  We thank you with all our heart for your support. This situation happening in the world is unsual but we will keep moving forward. We will keep moving forward.  Our lives changed since we arrived to this country. The people are beautiful and kind. Sometimes though, people criticize the reason we arrived to live in this country. In my case, we didn't have another option because I suffered threats that were directed toward my daughter. Obviously, a mother would not let this kind of situation happen that would put her kids in danger. In my country, the corruption is first and I know they would not help us. That is why we decided to come here. Our world changed because people are kind, they help without thinking about what a person looks like or their origin. My daughter is now 7 years old and very happy.  We are very happy. We thank you with all our heart.  From our behalf, we do not have money because we do not have a job, my partner and I... but we will try to help a little. The gifts you give us with your love, we try to divide it in two parts and together, little by little we pass it along within our community. Where one family eats, two families can eat 🙂 I thank you for everything.  You guys are incredible.”

“Para empezar les quiero dar las gracias por parte de mi familia y mis amigos.  El labor de ustedes es maravilloso. Nosotros estamos bendecidos.  Les agradecemos de todo corazón su apoyo. Esta situación qué pasa en el mundo es insólita pero saldremos adelante. Saldremos adelante.  Nuestra vida cambio desde que llegamos al país, las personas son lindas y amables.  Hay veces las personas critican el por qué llegamos a vivir a este país. En mi caso nosotros no nos quedó más remedio ya que sufría amenazas las cuales iban dirigidas a mi hija. Obviamente una madre no dejará pasar la situación si uno de sus hijos está en peligro.  En mi país la corrupción es primero y sabia que no nos ayudarían. Así que decidimos venir aquí. Nuestro mundo cambio por que la gente es amable, ayudan sin importar el físico y el origen.  Mi hija ahora tiene 7 años y es muy feliz.  Somos felices. Les agradecemos de todo corazón.  POSDATA: de nuestra parte no tenemos dinero por qué no tenemos trabajo mi pareja y yo... pero tratamos de ayudar un poco. La mercancía que ustedes nos dan con su amor nosotros tratamos de dividirla en dos partes y juntar poco a poco para dárselos a la comunidad. Donde come una familia pueden comer dos😊.  Les agradezco mucho por todo.  Ustedes son increíbles.”

Tomorrow is a day of rest, so no summary will go out.  I wish you all a lovely Easter Sunday.

He is Risen!  Risen, indeed!
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH

Groceries for Families: Week 3 - Day 5

April 10, 2020

Today just feels like an awesome day.  Maybe I’m just happily worn out from a busy week, but I’m feeling very happy right now.  People are engaged on all sides and in the middle.  Positive comments are coming in steadily.  Something good is happening right in front of us all, and it feels so good. 

Groceries were delivered today by Crossroads Bible, Evangelical Chinese and Covenant Presbyterian churches.  It was a smooth delivery of 105 orders, the biggest of the week.  Six orders were delivered to homes and all but 9 families showed up today, which is a great ratio.  Thank you to all.

The bulk food items are so very popular: flour, pinto beans, salt, rice, sugar, cooking oil, butter.  Thank you to all of you who bring this into Jubilee all week.  It matters!

Easter was in full bloom today, with lots of baskets, eggs, candy and fun.  Children were loving it!  Thanks to all who put extra notes and Easter items in the groceries.

With the few extra orders from yesterday and today, we invited a Hispanic church from West Seattle to come pick up the groceries and left over box lunches.  Most of their members are out of work.  The Pastor came about 3:30 pm and was very grateful for the chance to provide for his congregation.  So cool to share food where the need is most.

Microsoft provided another 400+ box lunches through the Bellevue School District today.  Many went home with families.

Lots of personal hygiene and bulk food deliveries came in today by numerous individuals and groups.  Wow!  With inventory dwindling and gone for some key items, the “warehouse” is full again.  Love it!

A few stories for you:

From Overlake Park Presbyterian:  ”We have a member named Kathy who has MS and lives in a care facility. She has always had a passion for feeding people and her ongoing illness prevents her from doing it in tangible ways. The minute I announced the grocery program with Jubilee, she sent in $30/week for the remainder and called me to ask me to do the shopping for her.  She is so grateful to be able to provide - in some way - for a family in the Bellevue school district. We wanted to thank you for making it possible for Kathy to provide.”

"Many thanks, Daniel. May God bless you all and I want to say thanks for the help you are providing especially because my husband is without a job and I think that the majority of people are without a job and with the help you give us we have food our children can eat."

“Muchas gracias Daniel que Dios les Bendiga y quiero agradecer la ayuda que nos están proporcionando ya que mi esposo esta sin trabajar y creo que la mayoría de las personas están sin trabajar y con la ayuda que ustedes nos dan tenemos como darle a nuestros hijos que comer.”

Please pray for the families of this congregation.  As much as they need groceries, they also need prayer.

Thank you dear friends,
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH

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Hi Amazing Easter Friends!

I hope that you had an excellent day in the nice weather and surrounded by love and family.

This week was extra special because we had lots of amazing Easter baskets and goodies to hand out to our 270 families on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday thanks to you all. I was there on Friday and saw the excitement and joy on the kids faces as they received a goodie bag or basket. One girl came in a pretty Easter dress and was SO excited to get a beautiful basket. Every family was able to get something and it brought hope and Jesus’ love during a hard season.

Thank you so much for making this happen! We ended up with a total of:

• 2,500 filled Easter Eggs

• 154 Easter Goodie Bags/Baskets  

So amazing! Attached are some pictures and thank you again for taking the time to love our families and kids so well. Many blessings to you all!

Ashley Page
Events Manager, Jubilee REACH

Groceries for Families: Week 3 - Day 4

April 9, 2020

Today was another lovely day with sunny & warm weather and a smooth operation.  I saw people in short sleeves, shorts and summer wear for the first time.  Even my sweatshirt had to come off as I helped people out to their cars with multiple bags in hand.

Groceries were delivered by Doxa, Kalos, Sacred Heart and Overlake Park Presbyterian churches.  With 85 families expected, all but 9 came, which is a good turnout.  Daniel delivered 12 orders to families at home who can’t get to Jubilee.  Thank you everyone!

There were lots of extra fun things to include with orders as churches and individuals brought chocolate, gift bags and toys for Easter.  Families loved them and any child who came in person got some extra special things delivered by site-coach Jen.  One sweet young girl in a beautiful dress got the prize Easter basket and had a huge smile as she clutched it tight  on the way to the car.  Thank you for the extra touches!

Families today had the option of bulk food items: rice, pinto beans, flour, sugar, salt, butter and canola oil.  It’s nice to give them ingredients, so they can make their own food at home.  All are very popular.  Thank you to all who contributed!

Microsoft provided box lunches to the Bellevue School District, which delivered them to Jubilee at 10am.  A picture is attached of the “store” today, which was a nice change for families.  The remaining lunches site-coach Kandan took to Congregations for the Homeless on his way home.  Thank you BSD and Microsoft!

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A few emails to share from families today:

Hello, I want to thank you enormously for all the help that you are giving us with this food. May God bless you for being good people willing to help the community and the families who need it in this moment. MANY THANKS.”

“Hola, solo quiero agradecer enormemente por toda la ayuda que nos están dando con la comida, que dios los bendiga por ser unas personas buenas dispuestas ayudar a la comunidad y alas familias que lo necesitan en estos momentos. MUCHAS GRACIAS”

In all honesty, I thank you. May God bless you and all the people who are behind all this. May he continue to allow you with this great work in helping more families. A thousand thanks 🙂"

Realmente se los agradezco. Que Dios los bendiga a tí, y a todas las personas que están detrás de todo esto. Y les permita continuar con esa gran labor y ayudar a más familias. Mil gracias 😊

“Hi my name is Gabriela.  My husband and I  recently adopted 4 little ones and we are very grateful  for your help on this difficult time.  We want to thank all the people who have donates food for us, also to the people who donate their time to distribute the food.  And last but not least, a big thank to the Jubilee Reach for making this possible. Thank you all for your generosity,  God bless you all.  Sincerely yours, Gabriela”

Enjoy the sunshine!
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH

Groceries for Families: Week 3 - Day 3

April 8, 2020

Another sunny day…loving this!  Lots of smiles and happy people over here.  We’re working to engage people in conversation and to make them feel more welcome.  Hopefully, it will pay off.  I had a man, Eric, address me by name today, who I must have talked with last week.  He remembered me.  Very cool.

Groceries were delivered today by Bellevue Presbyterian, Highland Covenant and Bellevue Christian Reformed Churches.  A total of 90 families were expected and most showed up.  We delivered six orders, too.  The operation is running silky smooth.  We’re now working to get our spreadsheets of info even sharper, so communication with families is easier.

A load of diapers, socks, and lotion was donated today by Eastside Baby Corner in Issaquah.  They are a great partner in this program, who sought us out just last week.

A few stories:

A woman named Kim comes every Wednesday and Saturday.  Today, I had the chance to talk with her in line.  She is about 50 and has three teenage boys in the district.  She worked at a Starbucks store but was laid off temporarily.  The company is helping with things like healthcare, but money is tight and food is scarce.  She is a widow, so is doing it all herself.  She thanked me over and over for the people who are providing these groceries to help her family through this.

The Jubilee Thrift Store staff was able to be rehired and has now joined the grocery program crew.  Not only are they wonderful people, they are hard workers and fluent Spanish speakers.  This allowed us to engage with many families in their native language.   Watch for them in pictures.

Thanks for the continued support.
Ken Carpenter
Service Coordinator, Jubilee REACH