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
I thought you might want to know what a typical week of clients we serve and help entails.
First client up: we helped a woman and her brother, with 7 kids between them, whose rent is $5000 a month, stay housed.
Next up, a woman who had a hysterectomy and was in a coma and in the hospital for 8 months. Can you imagine facing that? And recovering, and you realize you are falling behind on many bills. We helped.
Next, we helped a substitute teacher who is not bringing home a paycheck during the summer.
Others needed help with water or utility bills. Quite a week!
Your continued financial help makes a huge impact in our neighbors’ lives. We offer help and hope to those who may have nowhere else to turn.
Shared Bread Team
Leslie, Pat, & 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.