Shared Bread
Shared Bread is a ministry of our church that supports individuals living within the Kent School District boundaries.
Our primary focus is on offering financial assistance to prevent evictions and to prevent utilities (including heat and electricity) from being shut off. People are eligible for assistance once every 12 months. We typically assist around 600 individuals per year. We have volunteers on Mondays who schedule interviews for clients to take place the following Wednesday by phone.
Shared Bread Corner
The interviews of our clients in need haunt me at times. Those facing serious medical issues, which lead to financial shortfalls and evictions. A mom running from domestic violence who now also faces how her family will survive without the abuser's income. The client, whose transportation to bring in income (car) needs a major repair, which means the power or water bill goes into the pile of pay when it can. The Senior on a fixed income, watching their SSN not keep up with rent increases, and not quite cover both the rent and food. New neighbors forced to leave their country because war broke out, or absolutely no opportunities to maintain any quality of life, after 3 months of government assistance runs out & language barriers to get work.
All those stories and more are hard to remove yourself from.
I take solace in that we do not fully look away and do nothing. We see them and, in most cases, offer help on the current issue they face. This often lifts their tone of voice, and tears often follow.
We offer faith, hope, and love to all these neighbors in a place where people hear their cries for help and do something to say we are here. For that, it restores my personal Faith and gives me Hope in a very troubled world at times.
Thanks for supporting our current fundraiser at $1,100 and counting, and for supporting us throughout the year.
Shared Bread in 2025
We gave out $95,093.12.
We received 3 grants.
We had 2 major gifts given by members.
We helped Auburn Methodist Church with an assistance request.
We met with both Coeur d'Alene Methodist and Fairwood Methodist, who wanted to model their programs after ours.
In January 2025, we reached our million-dollar mark after 20 years of giving.
We helped 5 members of our congregation.
We did a presentation to the Covington Kiwanis.
Kent UMC reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program
Kent United Methodist Church is celebrating a remarkable milestone! Over the past 25 years, the church's Shared Bread Program has surpassed $1 million in donations, providing vital rent and utility assistance to local families in need. Discover how this community-driven initiative continues to make a difference.