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
This past month, among the many we assisted, we helped two families stay in their homes. Both families had the husband as the main provider and were making their way and trying to provide for their families. One has already proven that he was picked up illegally by ICE and was to be released. The other is in the process of doing so. Yet, the time in incarceration was lost work and money needed to support their families, which puts them in a position to lose housing.
Our program helped to protect our neighbors.
Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Thanks for your continual support of our program.
Your Shared Bread Team,
Leslie, Pat, and Rhonda
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.