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Carol's Kitchen is named for Carol Ragan, who died tragically in 1996. The kitchen was founded by Carol's parents Arlene and Jim and their friend Jim McConnell on April 21, 1998.
When Carol's Kitchen formed in 1998, it set out to feed the working poor. Today, the kitchen is open to anyone. The only requirement for people to eat at Carol's Kitchen is that they are hungry. No one is ever turned away.
Pictured: Arlene Ragan and Jim McConnell. Carol's Kitchen opened its doors on April 21, 1998, the day after Carol Ragan's birthday, at the Banning Community Center. That day, the kitchen served 34 meals to the hungry.
The top meal on the list is chicken enchiladas, which was Carol Ragan's favorite dish. The kitchen continues to serve chicken enchilada casserole at the Beaumont Presbyterian Church each year in April to honor Carol's birthday and the Carol's Kitchen anniversary.
The kitchen opened at the Blessed Kateri Takekwitha Catholic Church in Beaumont shortly after the kitchen opened in Banning. Today, the kitchen is open at this same location on Mondays and Thursdays.
Later, the volunteers started wearing purple T-shirts showing Carol's picture. Purple was Carol's favorite color. The volunteers are sometimes referred to as the "Purple People Feeders."
Every year, the kitchen serves Thanksgiving turkey at all of its locations. This is made possible by Carol's Kitchen's hard-working volunteers and generous sponsors.
Carol's Kitchen offers other services. On Mondays and Thursdays, visitors can pick up free clothing and housewares at "Carol's Closet" at Blessed Kateri Takekwitha Catholic Church. On occasion, the kitchen offers free blood-pressure screening and flu shots.
Carol's Kitchen occasionally hosts special fundraisers, such as golf tournaments, to support its mission. Pictured is the late Ed Koehler who was a certified chef and volunteer. "Ed made the best cranberry sauce in the galaxy," remembers Carol's Kitchen volunteer Pattie McConnell.
This poem by Carol Ragan was recently discovered along with the Carol's Kitchen scrapbook. The last words Carol wrote in her journal were, "Ask your heart what is right and follow it." This continues to be the tagline for the organization.
Each year, during its chicken-enchilada-casserole birthday meal, executive director Jim McConnell brings a cake to honor Carol's birthday and the anniversary of Carol's Kitchen. This year, the meal will be at the Beaumont Presbyterian Church on April 22. Learn more. »
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Carol's Kitchen, Inc. is a Southern California charity feeding the hungry in the San Gorgonio Pass. All kitchen locations are near the 10 freeway, roughly 86 miles east of Los Angeles and 26 miles west of Palm Springs, specifically in the towns of Beaumont, Banning and Cabazon. The only requirement for our guests is that they are hungry. No one is ever turned away.
Carol's Kitchen, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation. Tax ID No. 33-0819778.
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