The Ramona Food and Clothes Closet

This may appear to be off the beaten path at first, but you’ll soon understand why I am treading this road…

The Ramona Food and Clothes Closet is in its 30th year of service to the community. The FCC, as it is known locally, was officially launched in March 1983.

My wife’s parents, Don and Helen Conklin along were the primary organizers. They started by supplying a three-day food package to each needy family or individual who lived in Ramona, California and who expressed a need for food.

I was lucky enough to have helped deliver these boxes a couple of times while visiting them.

Meanwhile, Christmastime’s “Share Your Holidays” became an annual event. And as far as I know, this tradition continues with the help of local churches and schools who donate both food and pack the boxes.

In 1994, the FCC was moved to the abandoned Bank of America building on Main Street. It is still in full operation today, housing the thrift shop, emergency and holiday food distribution, an emergency food pantry, board room, and a room to receive, store, and process donated merchandise.

That weekend, my wife and I were visiting her family.  I recall Don and I spent that Saturday cleaning the place, drinking coffee and swapping corn-ball jokes.

Honestly, I miss my wife’s folks.