Local dignitaries, including the Mayors of Hemet and San Jacinto, were present to show their support. Attendees also contributed generously to the evening’s canned food drive, benefiting both Valley Community Pantry and the San Jacinto Pantry.

Interfaith Council President Jon Ranes opened the program with a warm welcome and recognition of the diverse local congregations participating in the service: Temple Beth Am, Community Christian, Calvary Chapel, Pilgrim Congregational, United Methodist, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Hope in the Valley, the Baha’i Faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Church of Scientology.

Pastor Dale Garland of Hope in the Valley Baptist Church offered the invocation.

A message of gratitude was delivered by the President of Valley Community Pantry, Jim Lineberger who expressed deep appreciation for the ongoing support provided by local congregations. He emphasized the positive, life-changing impact that community collaboration continues to make for families in need.

Pastor Jerome Roberts from the United Methodist Churches from Hemet and San Jacinto delivered a message of helping the community and his pantry in San Jacinto assists more than 3,000 per month.

The Children’s Interfaith Choir provided one of the evening’s most heartwarming moments with their rendition of “My Heavenly Father Loves Me.” This was followed by a moving presentation written by Stephanie Kittleson and presented by Adam Formica, which concluded with a reminder that:
“Love is not limited by religion… when we come together — Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and all people of faith and goodwill — we bring healing and light into a world that desperately needs both.”

A musical performance by Linda Greilich of the Church of Scientology, accompanied by Christina Ranes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, continued the spirit of unity.

The keynote address was delivered by Hemet Police Chief Michael Arellano, who shared his personal connection to the valley and spoke passionately about his commitment to serving and protecting the entire community.

Following a communal singing of “God Bless America,” Pastor Lowell Thomas of Lighthouse Church offered the benediction. Drawing from his experience as a football coach at San Jacinto High School, he encouraged attendees to persevere in their goals through faith and determination.

The Hemet–San Jacinto Interfaith Council reaffirms its mission to:

1. Promote mutual understanding and respect among all faiths.
2. Address issues affecting local communities, the nation, and the world.
3. Strengthen faith in God and serve the needs of the valley.

Upcoming Events & Community Announcements

• Interfaith Holiday Party:
  December 11, 2025 — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  Mountain View Clubhouse, 24600 Mountain Ave., Hemet
• Food Donations Now Accepted At:
  • San Jacinto Community Pantry — 210 S. San Jacinto Ave.
  • Valley Community Pantry — Simpson Center, 305 E. Devonshire Ave., Hemet
  • Salvation Army Food Pantry — 340 S. Palm Ave., Hemet
• Living Nativity Walkthrough:
  Presented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Weston Park immediately following the Hemet Christmas Parade.

The post Hemet–San Jacinto Interfaith Council Hosts Inspiring 2025 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

These aren’t one-time events — they’re part of a continuing commitment to the community. Every week, golfers can tee off knowing that 100% of the proceeds go directly to the cause at hand. Golden Era Golf Course provides the venue at no cost to the nonprofits, ensuring that every dollar raised stays with the organization to help support their mission.

Wednesdays: Chamber of Commerce Golf Fundraiser
Enjoy a morning on the green with fellow community members while helping to strengthen the local economy. All proceeds from this fundraiser go to the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce, which champions small businesses, fosters economic development, and drives local growth.

Fridays: Valley Community Pantry Golf Fundraiser
Start your Friday with purpose. This weekly event supports the Valley Community Pantry, which provides food and essential services to families facing hardship. Every swing helps put food on the table for those who need it most.

“These golf fundraisers are a perfect example of how community, fun, and philanthropy can come together,” said Kevin Saunders, Executive Director of the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber.

“Driving out hunger, one round at a time,” added Jim Lineberger, past CEO of the Valley Community Pantry.

Set against the backdrop of the San Jacinto foothills, the regulation 9-hole Golden Era Golf Course is proud to support nonprofits in their mission to serve the community. In fact, any nonprofit group is welcome to host a golf fundraiser at the course — entirely free of charge — and keep 100% of what they raise.

Come out, play a round, and make a difference — because at Golden Era Golf Course, every hole helps the whole community.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to book your tee time:

Wednesdays (Hemet San Jacinto Chamber): 951-658-3211
Fridays (Valley Community Pantry): 951-392-8287
To schedule a nonprofit fundraiser: 951-654-0130

Where:
Golden Era Golf Course
19871 Gilman Springs Rd
San Jacinto, CA 92583

The post Weekly Golf fundraisers at Golden Era Golf Course Support Local Nonprofits appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

The Grocery Outlet in Hemet has been there for as far back as I can remember. The company was established in 1946 and today claims 300 thriving stores. They stand up against Ralph’s, Kroger or Safeway any day of the week. I doubt a lot of people know anything about their origins or products. Their patrons sure know about the quality of their product.

I was in the local store last week when one of the cashiers told me it would be the last day of the current owners.

Why, I asked. It seems that the current owners Darryl and Barbara Salkele are retiring. Did that mean the store was shutting down? No, and here’s why.

Grocery outlets are not individually owned. It is a partnership company. Folks who would like to operate a food business can apply and join up with the Grocery Outlet Company by taking over an existing store or perhaps open one where there is a need.

Hemet, for instance, recently opened a new store at the busiest corner in Hemet, an area that is growing with great speed – Florida Avenue at Sanderson on the west side.

I arranged an interview with the new owners, curious to know why we would have two stores in Hemet and what made them attractive to the community. Chad and Leslie Trask, the new husband and wife management team, were anxious to tell me all about themselves, the store and the company.

They have been with Grocery Outlet for only 3 years. Why, I asked, did you choose Hemet? Chad has some relatives here but that was not his reason. He and his wife were located in Camarillo (Ventura County) prior to relocating in Hemet.

If you buy for a big name company, whether it be Levi Straus or Kroger Grocery Company you pay for all that expensive advertising. That can become quite expensive in a year’s time. That’s not the way it is with Grocery Outlet. Chad explains.

“We are 40 to 70 percent off of standard prices, offering premium gourmet items from Europe, and around the world.”

Come to find out it is no secret. “There is no middle man. We buy directly from the source. For instance, if a company wants to introduce a new product, they will start with a company like us to see how the public responds and accepts the product before they move into the more conventional markets. We are not stocked with insurance company buyouts of fire sales—nothing like that. Sometimes we get overruns, when too much of the product is brought to the market and is not being sold in certain markets. If a company buys like 1200 cases of green beans – and they are not moving fast enough elsewhere, we can buy them at a discount and they are not stuck with the overload. The prices are drastically reduced; we buy and pass the savings on to our customers. That’s a win-win situation.”

The company was originally started by the Read family in 1946 and is now a third-generation in the business.

How do they maintain the business with such large discounts?

According to the company history, the idea took off like a prairie fire and has yet to be contained. Jim Read took advantage as the stores spread across the country with 300 stores active now with more to come. Today they boast 1.5 million customers per week, which makes Grocery Outlet the nation’s largest extreme value retailer.

How did they do it?

“With the help of brilliant buyers who shop the world, traveling thousands of miles each year to find the most thrilling deals on brand name groceries. Whether it is through packaging changes, surplus inventory or product overruns, our buyers source it all – everything from fresh meat and produce to our natural and organic NOSH item to the WOW deal we can hardly believe ourselves.”

Their public relations office says, Of course, we wouldn’t be anywhere without the hundreds of local families who own and operate their own Grocery Outlet stores, allowing us to deliver superior customer service personalized to each of the local communities we serve.”

Chad explains the situation in Hemet. “It is a great community. Everyone has been extremely kind in welcoming us into the community.”

Do they plan any changes in the store?

“Anything to facilitate a good shopping experience, from the moment a customer enters the front door until they leave. We deliver a variety of gourmet foods, cleanliness and customer accommodations. All produce is fresh as are our bakery and meat products – at less cost than places like Trader Joe’s and other whole food outlets.”

Will they have a grand opening?

“You bet. Probably sometime during the first week of July. Nothing set in concrete today. Also, as to community personal involvement. We will have an Independence from Hunger program underway, starting in late June, where we team up with local non-profits. For a donation of $5, we will provide the customer a coupon for $5 on any purchase, so it really is costing them nothing. We donate that $5 to a community partner – right now, we are partnered with Valley Community Pantry.

“Our intent is to connect with the community more and more as they get to know us and we learn of their needs.” The new owners admit that it will take some time to be recognized and known here in the San Jacinto Valley; they have already been contributing toward organizations coping with the vast homelessness problem here. Here’s something new – to me, at least – when asked how they will deal with the fragrant shoplifting, Chad shrugged his sounders. “If we catch them, we with treat them with respect and invite them not to return.”

By the way, they are hiring. Just sayin’ rustystrait@gmail.com.

Rusty Strait • Senior Reporter

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post GROCERY OUTLET CHANGES MANAGEMENT IN HEMET appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.