Today Is Last Day for Ramonans to Cash Order Treasure Box Discounted Food

A discounted food program which has been a mainstay for limited-income residents of Ramona and the backcountry will come to an end in September. The Treasure Box organization which has offered the program for three years at various locations in San Diego County says skyrocketing fuel and food charges are the reason.

Today is the final day to place a cash order for Ramona delivery. People can also order online by Sept. 14 as long as the boxes last. Orders are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

and distributing the food boxes monthly for about a year. Another Ramona church, The Way, also took orders for the program.

A variety of boxes have been available—including chicken, beef or seafood, plus vegetables and dessert. The cost was approximately $32 for enough food for a family of four for a week.

For this last month, there are close-out specials. Click here to see them.

Mike Mulligan, a volunteer at Immaculate Heart, told Patch on Tuesday, "The ones who will suffer the most are the seniors who were relying on the Treasure Box for quality food at reduced prices. Volunteers from Ramona were purchasing food boxes and donating to others in need, mainly the senior citizens."

The Treasure Box is an arm of Good Source Solutions Inc. of Carlsbad, which provides overstocked food to niche markets such as schools, correctional facilities and nonprofit organizations. The company has offered the Treasure Box program for three years in San Diego County and had planned to expand it to other states this year.

People in Ramona and the backcountry who wish to place orders for one last box need to go online by Sept. 14 to http://www.thetreasurebox.org/ or call at 760-789-4105 to place a cash order Today.