Packards Invites Ramona to Give Back to Schools

Local stores like are buzzing with back to school parents and kids stocking up on the year's necessities. A local coffee shop is encouraging residents to pick up some extra supplies this year for kids who don't have as much.

is inviting Ramonans to stop by all week with extra school supplies: backpacks, pencils, notebooks, folders, pens, etc.

Nora Seidl, owner of Packards, said she's giving all of the donated items to the Boys and Girls Club of Ramona to directly help our community.

"Whatever we can get to help them out, we'll do it," said Seidl.

Seidl said she figured plenty of families would be doing their back to school shopping this week, making the donations more convenient, and some parents have already promised to bring in new backpacks filled with supplies.

On Monday, Seidl will turn in all the donations to the Boys and Girls club and each child that attends the club will get something.

Seidl's daughter, Alexis, said that while school supplises might be inexpensive for most people, for others, it's a costly expense.

"It adds up," Alexis said. "Schools can't afford as much, teachers have to take a pay cut this year and can't afford the supplies themselves."

Anyone interested in donating can purchase supplies and drop them off all week at Packards. On Sunday, Aug. 19, the coffee hang out is holding a party from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with food, fun and socializing. Residents are welcome to attend the party and donations are appreciated.