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
Running away from your abuser in a domestic violence situation with four children can be a lot. Last week, I spoke with this victim for an hour on the phone. She kept telling me no one cared and no one was there to help. For every suggestion I made, she had a counterargument about why it would not work, so I finally just let her talk. She went on for quite a while, then said, “I understand if your program does not cover what I need, so I will just get off the phone.” I then had to say her name three times softly before she would let me speak. Indeed, you do not follow our specific program, but what we do is listen and care. We do rarely make exceptions, and I hear you saying you are on a cliff and nowhere else to turn, and not only you but your four children are about to fall off that cliff. We have some power to change that, along with what you need to do. WE will help you save your money to find another home to rent where your abuser cannot find you by paying a portion of your rent, and you have another agency that will cover the rest. Slow down and breathe; your children look to you to lead and stay calm in a storm. That is your priority now. Reach out for more help from DAWN and the Y or some agency as you need the help; it is out there, you have to stay focused. People care, and people you do not even know are helping you right now from our church. They live their faith, and now you also need to feel hope and faith coming from them and pass that on to your children each day. Good luck, we are praying for you.
This is only possible because of our generous congregation. Thank you.
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.