.jpg)
The Rockbridge Area Relief Association and the local chamber of commerce celebrated the opening of the renovated Neighborhood Grocery with a ribbon- cutting on Thursday, Sept. 14.
After purchasing the Piovano building in October 2021, RARA set the goal of creating a safer, more welcoming space for members of the community to access food.
RARA finished construction on a new waiting room, private intake offices, and a restroom for clients in August, according to Executive Director Lindsey Pérez. It will use the waiting room to offer quarterly tastings and highlight recipes, nutri- tional tips, and community resources. The organization also added gondola shelves, a reach-in refrigerator and freezer, and better signage to make the experience even more like shopping at a grocery store.
The opening of the new space comes during a time when RARA is experiencing a significant increase in visits to the Neighborhood Grocery.
During the Covid pandemic, families received higher SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) through emergency allotments, but that program ended in March of this year. The decreased benefits, in combination with rising food prices, means that households who have never faced food insecurity or have not needed RARA’s services in years are turning to them for support, said Perez. While RARA received an average of 573 visits per month in 2022, it is now seeing over 800 monthly visits.
“We are here for Rockbridge households in times of need, and this is an especially difficult time for many families. We’re proud to offer a place where everyone can feel comfortable and welcome when picking up food,” said Pérez.
RARA was able to complete the renovations thanks to individual donors and organizations such as the Rockbridge Community Health Foundation, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Community Foundation, Washington and Lee University, United Way of Rockbridge, and Grace Episcopal Church. The city of Lexington and Rockbridge County also contributed funds to the project.
For more information about food distributions, volunteering, or donating to RARA, visit www.raralex. org.
