Raven's Deli in Armona has instituted a new charity efford allowing customers to pre-pay for meals that can be claimed by those less fortunate. Photo by Hannah Lanier

A viral Facebook post about a restaurant in another state inspired a small Central Valley business to empower its community of less than 4,500 people to help feed the hungry this holiday season.

The Kings County town of Armona is located on Highway 198 between Lemoore and Hanford. It is home of Raven’s Deli.

More than 50 years old and best known for its jerky sold all across the Valley, Raven’s Deli has started an act of charity for those in need.

When you walk into Raven’s you’ll see a sign that says, “If you are hungry and have no money, these meals have been paid for in advance.”

Anyone willing can purchase a meal ticket, and anyone in need can use it.

Carrie Raven, owner Marlene Raven’s daughter-in-law, said it all started two weeks ago.

“A friend of mine saw this [idea] on Facebook in another state,” said Carrie, “I asked my mother-in-law, and she was like ‘Yeah! Let’s try it!’”

What started as a clever, feel-good effort is becoming something the Ravens plan to continue.

“As soon as I posted it,” said Carrie, “it went off.”

Marlene said that Armona needs a charity like this. “In our area we have so many needy and homeless people,” she said.

“The community here has used it, not donated,” Carrie added, “It’s more so outside of this community [who is donating].”

The Raven’s Deli menu includes breakfast burritos, deli sandwiches and items and regular burritos with meats including tri tip, deep pit beef, linguica and more.

According to employee Candace Salas, who has worked at the deli for three years, it’s been a whirlwind since the community caught wind of the effort.

“They feel really happy,” she said about a family of three who was able to use some of the purchased tickets.

“Some people are really quiet about it, but it makes us feel good and them too,” she said.

Candace thinks that this is a perfect opportunity to give back, serving something good for both the giver and the receiver.

“It makes everybody feel like they are giving back and feel good about something that they have done,” she said, adding: “The people who get to eat the food, don’t go hungry.”

Actively fundraising for local schools and donating meals to other nonprofits in the area, the family-owned Raven’s Deli isn’t new to community service or charity work.

This program is just the latest way to give back that they hope takes off, and thanks to a few Central Valley residents, it’s starting to.

“It’s very humbling,” Carrie said.

“We’ve been blessed for 51 years, ups and downs in every business, but this is a way we feel we can give back to the community,” said Marlene.

“Of course, it’s not just us, it’s everyone who has purchased,” added Carrie.

Marlene and Carrie explained that the donations that have been rolling in are from Valley residents who have known hardship themselves.

“The calls we got just yesterday,” said Marlene, “It was a gentleman who said he lost his legs and said he lived in his car for five years and who just recently got into a home.”

Another man came in person with his wife to donate, “His wife wasn’t able to get out, because West Nile had affected her like a stroke and she’s not able to walk,” Marlene said. He donated $100.

“God has blessed us,” he said. “So, we want to help.”

While the Central Valley’s response is something that the deli appreciates, they hope the “give-back momentum” continues past the holiday season.

“[There are] not as many [tickets] as I would like right now, but I am hoping it will get there,” said Carrie.

Rosa Canchola has worked for the deli for more than seven years. She says that this is just the heart that the owners have and that not many people or businesses would do something like this.

“Everybody needs help sometimes,” said Rosa, “A lot more places should consider helping others out.”

If you would like to donate a ticket, you can call Raven’s Deli or simply walk in Monday through Thursday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. or Friday through Saturday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Their phone number is (559) 548-3948.

Tickets cost about $10 each.