Templeton Feed & Grain to host 2-day fundraiser to rebuild store

A two-day fundraiser planned for next month will raise money to rebuild the Templeton Feed & Grain storefront after a devastating arson fire destroyed the iconic granary towers in July.

The fundraiser will be split into two events, a dinner at the site of the granary’s former warehouse and a car show, auctions and live music two days later, according to the Templeton Feed & Grain fundraiser website.

The 105-foot granary was gutted in a fire that sparked late on the Fourth of July and was allegedly set by four juveniles.

Templeton Feed & Grain co-owner and vice president Rick Jermin said all proceeds will go toward the family’s efforts to rebuild the storefront.

The family is currently running their business out of a building in Paso Robles.

“We do have a nice temporary location, but I really want to get back on property,” Jermin said. “So we want to build our storefront first.”

Following the fire that destroyed the granary’s warehouse and parts of its storefront, Jermin told The Tribune the building had not been insured for two to three years after the family’s insurance company at the time said they wouldn’t renew the policy. The company lost about $700,000 in product value alone because of the fire.

What will the fundraiser include?

The fundraiser for the Templeton Feed & Grain will be spilt into two separate events.

On Friday, Sept. 19, the family will hold a dinner event titled “One Town, One Table” that will include food from Pacific Harvest Catering and drinks including wine, beer and cocktails, the website said. The event will feature live music from the Mark Adams Band and an auction of items and local experiences.

Tickets are $250 a person or $2,500 for a table of 10 and can be reserved online.

Two days after, a car show along Main Street that will include auctions, music and drinks. People can register their cars for $150 at tfgfundraiser.com/carshowregistration.

How is fundraising for the Feed & Grain being handled?

Aside from direct donations to the Jermin family through its website, people can participate in various ways during the fundraiser in September.

From attending the fundraiser dinner event, to preordering a non-refundable commemorative brick to be used in the remodeling of the storefront, all donations and purchases will be tax-deductible and will go directly to the family, according to its website.

As the demolition cleanup continues at the site of the granary, Jermin said managing that as well as the temporary storefront and fundraiser have been difficult to juggle.

He said Abby Allen, co-owner of the Templeton Market and Deli, has helped manage most of the fundraising efforts, while Ponderosa, a SLO County nonprofit, is handling all of the event’s donations and purchases.

“I want everybody that wants to be involved to have the opportunity, “ Jermin said. “And I want everybody to know that we are planning on rebuilding.”