GROCERIES FOR FAMILIES

Supporting families affected by the pandemic with food, hygiene items, and other necessities

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/7/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/7/20

Groceries for Families: Week 16 - Day 2

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/6/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/6/20

Groceries for Families: Week 16 - Day 1

Week 16 (day 91) started with a smooth day and lovely weather. It’s hard to be 71 and sunny, with a slight breeze. (IMO) 😊 Mondays are always unique with 8 different groups delivering groceries, primarily one by one. There are lots and lots of people coming in all morning long, which is really fun to see. Families started lining up early and were a steady flow for at least the first hour.

Groceries today came courtesy of 24-Seven, Bellevue Christian Reformed, Sacred Heart, Lighthouse, Common Good, Rain City, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 155 orders came in and all went out to families today, including 26 by delivery. It was such a great day. Thank you to everyone who participated today.

The hygiene pantry was available today for families to choose three items. Along with the normal items, we add liquid hand soap and dishwasher pods today. Thanks to everyone who helped fill the pantry since last week.

Fresh produce came early this morning from one of the gardeners at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Freshly picked produce smells so good!

It smelled like the earth. Lovely lettuce, kale, radishes, chard, and herbs (rosemary, mint, sage, thyme, chives).

The pick was fresh garlic which makes the grocery store garlic seem like cardboard.

Wow! Thank you. It went to families today, including the Jewish family who only eats vegetables.

They got a freshly picked bag today. Wow!

Lots of hygiene items and diapers came in this morning. Thank you to everyone who donated!

We didn’t do a market today, as there weren’t enough items to fill it. Instead, we filled the smaller tables which line the exit, so people could grab produce and fruit on the way out. It’s a good substitute. Feminine hygiene is available right at the front table when the market isn’t open.

A personal note from Ken:

Last Friday, July 3, one of the stories on this daily summary was an email from a man named Roger. It was such a great note to receive and really lifted our spirits. Like him, I look forward to Mon & Thu so I can chat with him. He’s a very nice man and just nice to talk with. Today he came late in the afternoon when very few people were here. I was able to talk with him for a good 10 minutes. Knowing what he wrote on Friday (“The cheerful environment they provide in that 15 minutes each time sure helps to brighten the situation we are in with the pandemic. I know my boys look forward to the food I bring back, but I look forward to the conversations. Just to be out and about.”), it was great to pour more into his life by connecting together. He filled me up, too. We’ve become friends through this. A picture of me talking to Roger is below, which Daniel took.

We begin this new week with about 603 families in the program. Thank you for all you are doing to sustain this program, which is helping so many people in this community. It is working!

Wherever you are today, may you have a lovely evening with people you love.

Blessings to you all,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/4/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/4/20

Groceries for Families: Week 15 - Day 6

As you know, Saturdays have the incoming and outgoing parts of the operation squished into a 3 hour period, which makes for a busy day. Today was no exception, with activity happening all morning long. The inflow of grocery deliveries was steady and on time. Thank you! The families were lined up by 9:30am and came steadily all morning. The busiest time was the last 20 minutes when about 30 families came. Overall, the feeling was calm and smooth – it was a great day! The weather even cooperated with a pleasant temperature and the sun breaking through.

Groceries today came from Bellevue Presbyterian, Victory Court, and Evangelical Chinese churches. A total of 154 orders came in and all went out to families today. Thanks for a smooth morning of deliveries and to all who participated today.

Lots of extra foods came in today, so the market was looking good: kale, lettuce, pasta, canned goods, carrots, potatoes, baby formula, and even socks. It’s so great to offer this extra outlet to families, where they can choose. Feminine hygiene is always available and is very popular. Thank you to every who provided extra items for the market.

Thank you to everyone who responded to the need for specific diaper sizes this week. We are stable in sizes 5 & 6, needing only size 4 still. The largest need we have is toilet paper. We aim to give every family 3 rolls per week but have cut it back to 2 rolls right now due to inventory.

Personal notes from Ken:

Many of you were touched by the story recently of a 3-year-old son who had a seizure, and his mom had asked for prayer. She was here today, so I was able to get an update. They have been to Children’s Hospital on Tuesday for a CAT scan, which didn’t show anything. This coming week they will return for another type of scan. Leo will also have to spend one night there, so they can monitor him during his sleep. On Thursday, two days ago, he had a small relapse where he suddenly started showing signs of a seizure. She was able to call the doctor immediately who helped over the phone. She said she prayed over her son while he lay on his side. She said she has to be with him constantly in case anything happens, which is very tiring. She knows they must find out what is wrong, so will just be going day by day. Please keep praying for this family.
Another ongoing story is the wife, whose husband had a brain tumor return. She was here today, so I was able to get an update. He has already had five sessions of radiation, out of eighteen scheduled at Overlake. His last one will be July 25. She showed me the paper schedule and said she is focused on getting past that date. She was happy to hear people are praying for them. I asked if they need anything specific. We gave her laundry detergent, some extra food, and some fun items for their daughter. She said gas-cards would be very helpful, because money is tight, and she is using lots of gas going back & forth from the hospital. I told her we’d try to find some for her when she comes back next Wednesday. His session that morning is at 10:00am, so she can come for groceries. Please continue to pray for this family.

As with each Saturday, here’s a look at statistics to date after 15 weeks:

Program Days: 90
Families currently in the program: 680+
People in these families: 3060 (approximate)
Grocery orders provided to-date: 14,168
Churches & Organizations engaged: 28
Different shoppers participating: 1050 (approximate)

We end this week with about 680 families in the program, which includes 20 new families. On Thursday, we restarted the waiting list for all new families, instead of bringing them directly into the program. They receive a ‘hospitality bag’, which is a full bag of groceries. There are 86 families whose last week in the program was this week, so there will be right around 600 families in the program beginning Monday.

Today marks the last day of week 15 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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/3/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/3/20

Groceries for Families: Week 15 - Day 5

Busy day! Wow, so much going on here today. The morning was a constant flow of incoming groceries, diapers, and more. In the afternoon, families came early, late, and in between. The last 20 minutes had at least 30 families coming through. The weather was ideal, with light sun and pleasant temperatures. We put up canopies at the last moment because the sun started to come through, but it didn’t really stick around. All-around, it was an awesome day!

Groceries came from Evangelical Chinese, Covenant Presbyterian, Westminster Chapel, Crossroads Bible, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 179 orders came in today and all went out to families, including 24 by delivery. The entire operation was very smooth. Thank you to everyone who gave today.

The market was nicely stocked with extra items of all kinds. Many, many extra foods came in today, which all went directly to the market. Well, some of it went directly to the market for opening time. Some, we actually hold back for the second half of the afternoon. That way, we can fill the market back up around 2:00pm with lots of nice things, so the 2nd half families get some good choices. It’s sort of a game, really. 😊

A large delivery of frozen chicken came this morning from BelPres Church.

It take a lot of effort each week to stock the freezer enough to have two chicken breasts for every family. This is a huge help.

Thank you, BelPres, and thank you to everyone who gives chicken each week.

Lunch was provided for 25 seniors in the community by the Bellevue Fire Department today. Volunteers came at 10:30am to receive the lunches and head out on three separate routes. Today’s menu was a foot-long turkey sandwich from Subway. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has responded to our call for diapers this week.

About 10 boxes of size 4 alone came in today, refilling a bare area in the pantry. Toilet paper came in today also.

All of this will find its way out the door to families soon. Thank you so very much!

A few emails from families:

Just want to thank all the donors. Sponsors, the volunteers who made this program possible by providing us groceries and other household needs like soap and everything. I greatly appreciate all the help given to me. Words can't express my gratitude for all the groceries given to us. And this helps me a lot to get by.
Thank you so much for bringing my family groceries. As you may know, we were sick with the COVID-19 and couldn't leave the house since we were under quarantine. I was very weak even to get up on some days. And we couldn't have anyone come over to pick up my young child and get her out of the house with all of the adults in the house sick. Having groceries delivered was one of the kindest things I have ever experienced. I saw that the food was provided by a Christian church. Could you please thank them on our behalf? We have thankfully healed and are looking forward to putting that experience behind us. But we will never forget your kindness. It was overwhelming. I wish your whole organization blessings and hope that I can make someone as happy as you made us. Please do discontinue and give it to another needy family.
Thank you all for what you’ve done!!! My whole family really appreciates the assistance you folks are providing during this time of need. I have 5 boys ages 17, 15, 11, 7, and 5, and it takes a lot to keep them fed. Your staff has been nothing but cheerful and helpful every time I’m there. Ali, Marjorie, Ken, and Patrick to name a few. The cheerful environment they provide in that 15 minutes each time sure helps to brighten the situation we are in with the pandemic. I know my boys look forward to the food I bring back, but I look forward to the conversations. Just to be out and about. I’ve been restricted from work since March due to being high risk with my medical status. To make things worse, Paid Family Medical Leave went from late to deny. I can’t wait to get my health stable enough to get back to work, and I deeply appreciate the stress you folks eliminate by providing this assistance. I hope one day I can repay these favors. Happy 4th!!!

Thanks for another awesome day. This week has gone by quickly. Like you, we’re all watching the news and the direction of this pandemic. We pray that the trends reverse soon. Going backward brings up so many questions about what will happen then. Taking it day by day.

Have a great evening,

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

PS. Ken here – if you’re a ‘Hamilton’ fan like our family is, enjoy the show on Disney+ tonight. I can’t wait!

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/2/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/2/20

Groceries for Families: Week 15 - Day 4

The wind last night blew three of the canopies across the lawn. So much for summer weather. They are back in place now, with no harm done. We had some light rain today and cool temps, but by the afternoon it turned out to be a nice day. The operation today was very smooth. The pace of families coming seemed to be all or nothing, with a few very busy times and a few times with no one here. That was strange. Overall, it was another great day.

Groceries today came from Sacred Heart, Kalos, Overlake Park Presbyterian, Bellevue Presbyterian, Redeemer, First United Methodist, and Doxa churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 179 orders came in and all but 10 went out to families, including 36 by delivery. The morning inflow was steady from 9am-12pm and lots of fun. Thank you to everyone who participated today.

Lots of hygiene items and diapers arrived this morning.

Wow! Thank you so much for responding. The supply of #6 diapers is now well-stocked. The supply of #5 diapers is now stable. Both were near empty days ago.

The largest needs now are #4 diapers (6 boxes remaining) and toilet paper (there is enough to get through Saturday).

A few emails from families:

Hola Daniel, Solo queria dejarle saber que ya no necesito más la ayuda de las despensas, todavia no estoy al 100% en mi trabajo pero creo que ya puedo yo comprar mi comida para mi y mi familia, le estoy muy agradecida a Ud y al programa de jubilee y de bell-press por brindarme estos alimentos durante esta difícil situación. Muchísimas gracias.

Hello Daniel, Just wanted to let you know we do not need help with groceries anymore. We are not at 100% with my job but I think I can buy groceries for me and my family. I am very thankful to you and this program at Jubilee and BelPres for providing these groceries during this difficult situation. Thank you very much. Lulu

Hola. Quiero agradecerles enormemente la gran ayuda que nos han brindado a toda la comunidad. En tiempos difíciles ustedes nos extendieron la mano. Y gracias a eso no nos falto comida. Y gracias por los productos de calidad en alimentos, artículos de aseo y pañales. Un millón de gracias.

Hello, I want to thank you immensely for the great help you have given the whole community. In these difficult times, you extended a hand. Thanks to this we were not without food. Thank you for the quality of the products of food, the house essentials, and diapers. A million thanks.

Hello, I'm one of the clients that receive groceries from jubilee reach. I just wanted to take the time and thank you for all you do. Sarah

(Note from Ken: I’ve had the chance to notice Sarah (I changed her name) since she entered the program in May. She is young (maybe 20-30’s), very timid, quiet, and has a constant look of worry across her face. She replies when I talk with her, but the answers are very short. I don’t know any details about her life, but my heart hurts for whatever burden she is carrying these days. For now, we just chat, and I wave across the grass. I just want her to know that we see her, know she is here, and welcome her. Maybe that’s enough for now. Maybe more will happen in the coming days. I saw her walking down the street last night coming back for the food truck, as I drove to an appointment. I was glad she was coming to get dinner.)

When groceries are being dropped off, there are regularly comments of support shared with the crew. There are some quite touching stories of what being involved with this program has meant to some people. Thank you for those words.

Thanks for another nice day. Things continue to go well on all sides of this ‘Groceries for Families’ program. Thank you for all your support and involvement to sustain it. There was a shopper delivering groceries this morning with a sweatshirt saying “We’re all in this together”. That phrase never grows old. It is so true.

Blessings to you all,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/1/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/1/20

Groceries for Families: Week 15 - Day 3

Half-way through the week marked a very nice day in the ‘Groceries for Families’ program. There were lots of families here today and so many we consider friends, at this point. The weather was a little rainy at times but very pleasant to work in. The temperature seemed to fluctuate from cool to warm, and back again. Overall, it was a great day.

Groceries today came from Highland Covenant, Bellevue Christian Reformed, St. Louise, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 157 orders came in today and all went out to families. It was a very busy morning of incoming groceries and always so nice to chat with people. Thank you to everyone!

A bundle of balloons arrived early, donated by local family after celebrating a birthday.

What fun it was to pass them out to every kid who came with their parent this afternoon.

The faces just lit up…every time! One girl was celebrating a birthday, so she got the sole pink balloon.

An autistic boy was wandering away from his mom in line, and the balloon helped her bring him back to stay close to her.

Thank you, Linda!

Lots of fresh vegetables came this morning from a gardener at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where there is a lovely garden in their orchard.

Lots of greens, beets, turnips, squash and fresh herbs filled the market today.

Thank you, Joan!

Today was the last day of the week for personal hygiene items. Families can choose three items from a list of 7-8 items. Additionally, laundry detergent was offered this week and is always extremely popular. Thank you to everyone who filled up the pantry to make this possible. At the end of the day, the crew switched the lobby to be ready with bulk food items tomorrow. See below for picture.

The food truck tonight of Japanese food was very popular. Thanks, BelPres, for sponsoring.

A personal story from Ken:

You may recall at Mother’s Day the story of a Grandma who overflowed with emotional tears when presented with flowers, a card, and candy. https://www.jubileereach.org/blog/2020/5/6/grocery-program-week-7-day-3
When the grandma came back the next week, she introduced herself and explained her emotion. Since they, we have become close, greeting each other every time she comes. She brought her grandchildren one day to meet the crew. She is a delightful person and speaks English quite well. For the last 3-4 weeks, she has been absent from the line. I’ve noticed and wondered where she’s been. She hadn’t left the program, so there was no explanation. Today, as I walked the line to greet people, I saw her way at the back, out on the grass. She was standing there with a walker, waving at me. When I reached her, it was all I could do to not hug her. She shared that she had torn a meniscus in her left knee three years ago while working at a hotel at SeaTac. She’s been a housekeeper at the Doubletree Hotel there since 1994. She had never had it repaired, so just had lived with the pain. Since being laid off from the hotel in March, she finally decided to have the surgery. She had it three weeks ago and is now on the long road to recovery. We had a wonderful conversation and reconnected. My own career is in the hotel industry, and I know many people who have worked at the Doubletree over the years, so we shared that history together. I’m so glad to know she is well and will be coming again regularly. Please join me in praying for her recovery, job, and her family.

Thank you for another smooth day. The crew had a good discussion this afternoon about how meaningful this program is within the community. We all feel the love that is sent to the families from you through Jubilee and passes it along. It certainly helps sustain us all. Thank you!

Have a great evening,

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

Groceries for Families began in March 2020 to serve families financially affected by the pandemic. Over 25 organizations and churches have partnered with Jubilee REACH to provide families with groceries, hygiene items, and supplies.

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