Ramona Food & Clothes Closet celebrates 40 years of serving the … – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Forty years ago, several Ramona churches got together with a plan to make sure those in need had a Merry Christmas.

Church members collected food, clothing and gift basket items and distributed them in the community over the holidays. The idea took hold and a year later the number of donations from Ramona residents grew.

In March 1983, at the request of the Ramona Ministerial Association, residents met to discuss how to best receive, process and distribute the ever-increasing amount of donations. It was at this meeting that the Ramona Food & Clothes Closet was officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

A while later, RFCC volunteers decided to open a thrift shop as the center of the operation, where they could sell quality donated clothing, furniture and household items at affordable prices and use that money to help fund the program.

On Saturday, April 22, the Ramona Food and Clothes Closet will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a “Shop All Day” event from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the thrift store, 773 Main St. That will lead into the The Barn Restaurant’s ’80s Dance Party starting at 8:30 p.m. at the restaurant at 344 Main St.

Vesna Curry, who celebrates nine years as RFCC manager on April 10, said she would like to see the thrift store’s programs continue another 40 years.

“All of the merchandise is from donations, we don’t purchase any of it,” said Curry. “Everything we get in, we sell, and it goes back out into the community. We give out free food and clothing, conduct a Share Your Christmas program, and offer community grants and scholarships.

“All of our net profits go back into the community, which is why we get such big donations, because people are aware of that.”

Since the early years, RFCC has been governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. In 1994, a permanent RFCC thrift store was established at its current location. Curry said the building originally housed the Kenilworth Inn that was destroyed in a fire, and formerly occupied by Bank of America.

While celebrating the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary on April 22, community members can take a moment to reflect on all the ways RFCC has served individuals and families in Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Julian, Ranchita, Borrego Springs, Warner Springs and outlying areas.

“The 40th anniversary celebration will be a lot of fun,” said Curry, a Ramona resident since 1965.

At the “Shop All Day” event, discounts will include 40 percent off the customer’s entire purchase and a coupon for 40 percent off their next purchase. The first 200 families to arrive will also receive a free spring box of food. Shoppers will also receive a ticket for the monthly drawing to win $40 in April.

Prizes will be given away at 40 minutes past each hour to adults and children. Starting at 11 a.m., a free hot dog lunch will be served.

Festivities will continue into the evening at the ’80s Dance Party at The Barn. In exchange for a $5 admission donation, participants will receive a $5 voucher to spend at RFCC and one raffle ticket. Party guests who come dressed in ’80s attire will receive an extra raffle ticket. Props will be available for photo opportunities and drink specials will be offered.

Door prizes will be given away and an opportunity drawing will be held. Prizes will include gift certificates to The Barn Restaurant, RFCC, Marinade on Main Restaurant, Cattle Dog Coffee, Rise N Shine Coffee Shop, Kahoots Feed & Pet store, Venus Nails and Spa, San Vicente Resort, Westerbilly Ranch, the Law Offices of Krysak & Associates, Gnosis Nursery, Back Country Gardens, San Martin Winery and D’Carlos Restaurant.

The festivities will celebrate the many ways RFCC has been a helping hand in the community for years.

One of RFCC’s notable services is its annual Share Your Christmas program in which toys and food are given to families for holiday celebrations.

The nonprofit also oversees several food distribution programs. In conjunction with Feeding San Diego, the RFCC hosts free food distributions at 9 a.m. on the third Friday of every month. RFCC also partners with Ramona High, Olive Peirce Middle and Ramona Elementary schools to supply its customers with fresh produce, meats, non-perishable food and cooked cafeteria food.

A third program is arranged with volunteers picking up food at San Diego locations and distributing it through the Meal Connect Food Rescue Program.

Additional services include loaning medical equipment such as walkers, crutches and shower chairs.

“Whatever is needed, no questions asked, we loan it out for however long they need it,” Curry said.

Sandy Fansher, who has has been involved with the nonprofit since 1997, said the RFCC Foundation’s scholarships have helped a number of students succeed.

In 2022, RFCC gave out $14,250 in scholarships.

“We’ve had a few university graduates who the RFCC is responsible for helping,” Fansher said. “Several people have graduated from college.

“We found that generation after generation was coming in to get help and it wasn’t breaking the pattern of poverty,” she said. “If students can get a good scholarship, they can pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty.”

Other lesser-known programs include offering bagged lunches to homeless people, Fansher said. First Congregational Church of Ramona provides the lunches, which are simple meals that don’t require cooking, and the RFCC distributes them, Fansher said.

“Another advantage is RFCC gives jobs to people in Ramona,” said the board member of more than 20 years. “The employees are a really nice group of people.”

Robin Joy Maxson, a Ramona Community Planning Group member, said the nonprofit has been an invaluable resource for the community.

“They have good quality merchandise at good prices,” Maxson said. “And they benefit the environment economically and physically because they are recycling goods that still have value. I donate and shop there both. I’ve always appreciated the value of thrift shops.”

Maxson said she likes knowing that her purchases and donations help support RFCC’s programs, such as scholarships. She also appreciates that RFCC distributes information about community events and government programs, she said.

“It’s important that people recognize that reusing goods is important and that they can get great quality items for very reasonable prices while helping the community,” Maxson said. “People should be happy to participate in their community that way.”

For more information about Ramona Food & Clothes Closet, call the thrift store at 760-789-4458.

Source: sandiegouniontribune.com