GROCERIES FOR FAMILIES

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/28/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/28/20

Groceries for Families: Week 19 - Day 2

What a difference a day & 10 degrees makes. It was definitely nice to be back to the Puget Sound summer. Today was another smooth day with lots and lots going on. The morning was full of activity with deliveries of food boxes, groceries, and hygiene items. The afternoon was a steady pace of families coming, which the crew appreciates, instead of massive rush and then no one. We did a simple BBQ on the patio again, which boosts everyone’s spirits. Ed did an excellent job of grilling!

What a difference a day & 10 degrees makes. It was definitely nice to be back to the Puget Sound summer. Today was another smooth day with lots and lots going on. The morning was full of activity with deliveries of food boxes, groceries and hygiene items. The afternoon was a steady pace of families coming, which the crew appreciates, instead of massive rush and then no one. We did a simple BBQ on the patio again, which boosts everyone’s spirits. Ed did an excellent job of grilling!

The groceries today came from Crossroads Bible, Cornerstone, Creekside Covenant, Westminster Chapel, and Bellevue Presbyterian churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 136 orders came in and all went out to families today, including 9 by delivery. Thank you to everyone who participated today.

Pacific Coast Produce was late this morning due to a driver switch, arriving around 8:45am. Five pallets of food boxes were dropped off at Jubilee, and three were quickly picked up by

El Dios Viviente Methodist Church in White Center, Seattle. Pastor Guzman and his wife are supporting about 70 church families and another few hundred families in the community there.

It is such a wonderful relationship we’ve built over the months. The remaining two pallets were quickly emptied of all perishable items into the refrigerator. They will all go out to families over the next few days.

There wasn’t a normal market today, due to the spacing of the food boxes.

Instead, we lined the main walkway with tables and covered them with everything available: potatoes, apples, onions.

A volunteer brought extra things from the food bank at Lake Samm Foursquare Church also: baguettes, basil, grapes, and pizza dough.

All of it made for a nice selection for families.

An email from family today:

Hola Daniel, Pues ayer fui por mi última despensa y como siempre todo el personal que atiende fue muy amable tuve la oportunidad de despedirme de algunos. Me hubiera gustado verte para darte las gracias personalmente. Pero por aquí te doy las gracias a ti, y a todo el personal que trabajaron y siguen trabajando ayudando a las familias, Pero sobretodo a esas lindas personas de buen corazón ❤️ que donaron de sus recursos para que las familias tuvieran suficientes alimentos en sus mesas, estos difíciles tiempos. Espero que la situación cambie pronto para todos y volvamos a la normalidad y quedarnos solo con un mal recuerdo, nuevamente MIL GRACIAS! por todo el apoyo y la ayuda que recibí, que Dios los bendiga. Andy

Hello Daniel, Well, yesterday was my last day to pick up groceries and like always, all the personnel who attends was very kind. I had the opportunity to say goodbye to someone. I would have liked to have seen you to personally say thanks. But through here I say thank you, and to all the staff who have worked and continue to work in helping families. But overall to all the beautiful people of good heart ❤️ who donated resources so families had enough food on their tables in these difficult times. I hope the situation will change soon for all and we can go back to normal and we will just be left with a bad memory. Again, A THOUSAND THANKS! For all the support and help I received. May God bless you. Andy

A personal story from Ken:

As we opened at 1pm today, I went out to greet everyone in line, which is a normal activity for me. Sitting at one of the picnic tables was a man I’ve greeted many times but not spoken to much beyond that. Sitting down across from him, I asked how his family was doing. They are all well. He shared that this week he finally went back to his job for two shifts. He has worked at a restaurant in Lincoln Square as a busser for over 5 years and last had a shift in late March. He said they have been doing only to-go orders, so haven’t had a need for a full staff. Now, they are offering limited in-restaurant dining, so his job is slowly coming back. He doesn’t know when he’ll get another shift or when he’ll get back to full-time, but he remains hopeful it will come. He’s a very nice man, who is clearly underemployed at the restaurant. He’s originally from Guatemala. It seems his situation is a very normal one for the families in this program. Please join me in praying for this man and his family.

Many of you have clearly been giving extra food and items for the hospitality boxes being made available Wed and Sat for the 45 families on the ‘waiting list’. Thank you! There are currently about 20 boxes ready for tomorrow and enough food to make 20 more if needed. We’re working hard to continue to invite these families to come.

Thanks for a great day. Enjoy the evening, wherever you are,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/27/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/27/20

Groceries for Families: Week 19 - Day 1

Was it hot where you were today? Yeah, same here. Melting. The building cooled down for the early morning but stayed very warm all day long. The crew did a great job of working through it. Fans were running everywhere, including taking one out to the check-in area way out front for Alleigha and Marjorie in the afternoon. We did a quick BBQ for lunch on the patio to break up the day. Families definitely waited to come today, as there were only six people in line at opening time. Eventually, it was a nice trickle of people all afternoon. Still, a number of regular families didn’t come today, which likely had to do with the heat.

Groceries today came from Rain City, Sacred Heart, Bellevue Christian Reformed, 24-Seven, Bellevue Presbyterian, Common Good, and Lighthouse churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 156 orders came in, which included 14 extra. Thank you! All but nine went out today, including about 25 by delivery. The remaining nine will go out tomorrow as deliveries. Thank you to everyone who gave today. Wow!

The market was full today with lots of extras coming in with groceries, as well as deliveries from local providers. Volunteers brought a delivery from the Crossroads QFC. Our crew did a pick up from volunteers in Lynnwood who got a nice supply of groceries from Safeway Thrashers Corner. The crew also picked up a nice supply of food boxes from Farmer Frog in Woodinville. Fresh produce came from local gardens. Altogether, the market had bakery items, bread, yogurt, vegetables, salads, fruit, and more. Thank you to everyone who helped stock it.

Personal hygiene items were offered to families today, as well as laundry detergent. We’ve been able to offer laundry detergent every other week since early May, thanks to your generous donations. Each family can receive 20 laundry pods. Today, as one of the hygiene options, we offered 2 rolls of TP for the first time. Our supply of toilet paper, which was nearly gone three weeks ago is full enough now to try this experiment. It was a very popular option, as you might expect. By offering this, it gave the families the option to get 4 rolls today (2 in their groceries, too). Plus, it keeps the inventory of the other hygiene items in check, which is very helpful. Thank you to everyone who helped fill the pantry today.

The food truck will be this Thursday from 4-7pm, Cubano-Mexi. Plan to come! The fluffy tacos are delicious.

A quick story from Ken:

Last week I detailed two ladies who were exiting the program with their families. We’ve all grown close to them, so said goodbye last Thursday. Today, they showed up with a basket full of homemade tamales and corn muffins for the crew. They simply wanted to say thank you for the many months of assistance and friendship. It was a fun reunion. Please receive their thanks, which I pass on to you. Regretfully, there are not enough tamales and muffins to share. 😊

We start this week with 470 families in the ‘Groceries for Families’ program, each coming twice per week. The number has come down from a peak of about 682 in late June but may stabilize now. In talking with families today about how they are doing, those remaining in the program still need continued help. There is a strong sense of worry when talking with families. One woman shared that her husband just lost his job this weekend, which shows a step backward. We’re watching this very carefully. For sure, there are many families in this program who needed such help even before the COVID crisis started. Please continue to pray for all of them.

Today marks day 109 - day 1 of week 19. Thank you for your continued support and sustained energy for helping these dear members of our community. It is working. Please keep going. Together, we are making an impact on the lives of thousands of our neighbors. It is exactly where we all should be.

May you find somewhere cool to be this evening,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/25/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/25/20

Groceries for Families: Week 18 - Day 6

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/24/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/24/20

Groceries for Families: Week 18 - Day 5

Day 107 is in the books and was as smooth as they come, with plenty of fun involved. The weather was ideal: nice and cool in the morning – sunny and warm in the afternoon. In fact, the sun broke through right about 12:30pm, so we had to hurry to get canopies up for shade. Lots of activity this morning with incoming groceries and some large pantry deliveries. Families came all afternoon, with very little gaps. The AM and PM crews were on it today, which includes plenty of laughter & silliness.

Groceries today came from Evangelical Chinese, Crossroads Bible, Bellevue Presbyterian, Westminster Chapel, and Covenant Presbyterian churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 136 orders came in today and all went out to families today, including 2 by delivery. Thank you to everyone who donated today. You are awesome!

The market was again nice and full with a wide assortment.

Volunteers brought a delivery from the Crossroads QFC which brought some great bakery, deli, produce and fruit items.

There was baby formula, chips, books, clothing, feminine hygiene and more.

Thank you to everyone who gave extra to make this happen.

The Friday lunch for 25 senior citizens stopped two weeks ago but roared back today with lunch provided by Crossroads Bible Church.

Lunch arrived around 10:30am from Panera, and volunteers delivered it around the city. So great!

Thank you CBC and volunteers.

Ed, one of the Lead Managing Site Coaches, took the Jubilee Thrift Store truck to the UGM warehouse in Kent this morning. This connection was arranged by Awakening Church Bellevue. He picked up a full load of fresh foods and delivered it to Dios Viviente Church in White Center, Seattle where Pastor Guzman received it to help his community. Thank you Awakening Church, Union Gospel Mission, Ed, and Pastor Guzman.

Quick addition to yesterday’s email:

Yesterday, it was put out about the online ordering of groceries. I need to circle back and say this can apply to Mon-Fri but cannot happen on Saturday. That day is such a tight schedule, it simply isn’t possible. Please don’t do the online ordering for Saturdays. Thanks. Ken

A few tasty stories from today from Ken:

The crew was overwhelmed with home cooking today from three separate families, who wanted to say thank you. I’m not sure if they did so because today is their last day or not.
- First, Mariana brought homemade pork tamales. Wow, they were fantastic! I wish I had taken a picture.
- Second, Ruth brought homemade El Salvadoran Pupusas. They were very hot, and she said made just 20 minutes ago. Homemade salsa and pickled cabbage were included. Lunch is served!
- Third, Maria and Miguel brought homemade chicken with green sauce and Mexican rice. It went very well during Friday's happy hour today on the patio.

It was a good day to be a part of the PM crew today. We were all well fed.

Many of you are asking about what will happen with this program come September. Like us, you’re watching the news, economy and schools. Please join us in praying about it. We are actively seeking discernment about the 2.0 version of supporting the families in our community. Call or email with ideas, nudges, dreams, ideas. We’d love to hear from anyone.

Thanks for another super day. It never gets old to be a part of this incredible program. Thank you for supporting these vulnerable members of our community.

Have a great evening,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/23/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/23/20

Groceries for Families: Week 18 - Day 4

We’re all enjoying the cool weather while we can…looking at the heat coming next week. Today was a very smooth day, with no canopies needed for sun or rain. Woo Hoo! Thursdays have many, many individuals dropping off groceries all morning. It’s very fun to see so many people coming from so many different churches. Families were slow to come today, with only a dozen or so in line to start. That has never happened. Yet, they all just seemed to trickle in all afternoon, so by the end, most had come.

Groceries today came from Redeemer, Overlake Park Presbyterian, Sacred Heart, Kalos, First United Methodist, Bellevue Presbyterian, and Doxa churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 164 orders came in today and all but 18 went out to families today, with 20 going out by delivery. The hold-over orders will mostly go out as deliveries to families tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who donated today!

The market was full today with lots of great food, mainly from the Lake Sammamish Foursquare food bank and the volunteer delivery from the Crossroads QFC.

Combined, they had the market well stocked with: bagged vegetables, cut fruit, blueberries, incredible summer squash, peppers, eggs, baked goods, bread, tortillas, and more.

There were also a few boxes of frozen meat, which we handed out directly to families, so it went home fast. Such extras are a wonderful blessing for families. It’s also nice that they get to choose items for themselves. Thank you!

A surprise delivery from Congregations for the Homeless brought in about 30 boxes of potatoes, onions, and apples. They had received the food but couldn’t use it all, so brought it to Jubilee. Volunteers unpacked it all this afternoon, and it will all go out to families tomorrow. We’ve taken extra box lunches to them a number of times in the spring, so it was great to see them today. Thank you!

A personal note from Ken:

As you’ve been reading in this email recently, there are about 80 families exiting the program this week. Today was the last day for about 1/3 of them, so we had to say goodbye, which is hard to do when you’re so close to people for this long. Alleigha and Rosario work out front the most, so know people the best. For sure, today was a hard day for them. The comments coming back to us from these families were all wonderful, full of gratitude, thanksgiving, and friendship. They clearly will miss the crew, as people, also.

Here's something news for you:

With some people going away during the summer, there have been a few tests done recently for having groceries delivered through online purchase & delivery. It is working quite well. Communication is going out this week to all the churches with these details. So, if you bring groceries through a church, watch for that communication to come to you. (NOTE: For sure, the preference is still personal delivery, as we want people engaged. But this can be an option for those who cannot come. As you can guess, the more online orders there are, the crazier it will be for the crew.)

However, if you out of town or you’d like to invite someone from out of town to get involved, this is a new option for you. Sign up through the Jubilee Friends link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b49a5aa2ba3fd0-jubilee.
Then follow these instructions:

Place an order through Amazon or a grocery store delivery service, using the shopping list given to you through the Jubilee Friends site.
Set delivery for the date you chose.
Set the delivery window to be before 11am.
The address is: Jubilee REACH, 14200 SE 13th Place, Bellevue, WA 98007
IMPORTANT: Somewhere in the name or address field put the JF initials and shopper name (JF-Carpenter). Orders come in multiple bags, so the crew needs to be able to keep bags together.
The Jubilee REACH crew will receive the order, repackage it in paper bags, as needed, and label the bags.

The biggest non-grocery needs right now are #6 diapers, baby wipes and paper towels. Thank you to all who continue to provide these extra items.

Some of you are asking for details on what will happen with this program at the end of August. We’re watching the world carefully, to see how each day impacts the future. This program is scheduled to end August 29. Something will need to take its place, as many families will need continued support. You can expect communication coming in the weeks of August. Stay tuned. Thank you for your continued love and support of these families.

Thanks for another great day, number 106. This week rolls right along. Thanks for sailing with this community. It’s so great to be in this together.

Have a great evening,

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

Jubilee REACH Communications 7/22/20 Jubilee REACH Communications 7/22/20

Groceries for Families: Week 18 - Day 3

The week rolls along and is now half over, with today being Day 105. The cool weather was a lovely break from the past two days and what appears to be coming next week. Even the rain this morning was fine. This day was quite smooth and easy, as days go. Everything clicked and flowed nicely. Lots of deliveries coming in this morning and a steady flow of families all afternoon.

Groceries today came in from Bellevue Presbyterian, Highland Covenant, Bellevue Christian Reformed, and St. Louise churches, as well as the Jubilee Friends group. A total of 135 orders came in and all went out to families today. An additional 12 orders went out to families as food boxes. Thank you to everyone who participated today. Such a great day!

The food truck is here tonight, Delfino’s Deep Dish Chicago-Style Pizza, until 7pm.

Come if you can!

Thank you, BelPres, for sponsoring it for families.

Today was the last day for personal hygiene items to be offered this week.

Thank you to everyone who helped fill the pantry.

The lobby has now been totally flipped to be ready for tomorrow. Diapers are only offered Thu-Sat, so they are piled high, after being absent this week. Bins of bulk ingredients are also staged. Looks great!

Fresh produce from the Master Gardener in Lake Hills came again today with a lovely array of freshly harvested vegetables. Wow! So beautiful and smelling like the earth. We used them today for vegetarian families, who were very happy. Thank you, Wendy and crew!

An email from a family:

I would like to thank you, everyone, at Jubilee REACH, the partners and organizations, and people providing the groceries and personal items for my family. Receiving the food especially the meat, milk, and bread has been a blessing. Receiving diapers, dish soap, hand soap, and many other items are also a blessing and greatly appreciated. Receiving these staple items weekly has helped us more then you will ever know. May God bless each of you for your time and generosity. Thank you!

An update from Ken:

The wife whose husband receiving treatment for a brain tumor was here today and provided an update. She said that he finished radiation yesterday and will be continuing chemotherapy through August 20th. The doctor is happy with the progress. The worst side effect is with her husband’s speech, which is somehow impaired. He is embarrassed and not willing to talk to people in public. She said it is worse because he previously was a very articulate speaker and used his creative speech regularly. Their daughter has her 16th birthday this Saturday, so they are excited.

A personal update from Ken

Some of you who know me personally will know my wife, Lisa, went through a small bout of colon cancer two summers ago. It turned out to not be serious, but she did have 9” of her colon removed. Yesterday was her annual scan, and today the doctor gave her the good news there are no signs of anything amiss. While this is certainly good news, she was very aware of the people in the clinic with her yesterday who is clearly going through serious challenges. Her heart broke for them. So, we celebrate but know many others fight on.

Thank you for a wonderful day. The sun is shining as this email goes out, and families are showing up for pizza outside the window.

Blessings to you all,

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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