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As we pointed out in last week’s editorial about the start of this year’s United Way campaign, there are a lot of neighbors in our community who need the help that United Way agencies provide.
Over one-third of our families fall into the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), people with fulltime employment but who still struggle to meet their basic needs.
One of the agencies supported by United Way endeavoring to provide assistance to those individuals and families is the Rockbridge Area Relief Association, which just celebrated the completion of renovations to their building on Spotswood Drive.
RARA has provided a lifeline for area residents in need for over 50 years, from its food pantry – now called the Neighborhood Grocery – to financial assistance for utilities, heating fuel, rent, shelter and transportation.
That lifeline has perhaps never been as needed as it is now. As we reported last month, monthly visits to the Neighborhood Grocery have grown from an average of 573 last year to over 800 this fall, most of that jump occurring since March.
The increased visits to the Neighborhood Grocery are on top of higher demand for all programs, says Executive Director Lindsey Perez. “This is largely due to multiple federal and statewide pandemic- related benefits ending – stimulus checks, child tax credit, eviction and utility cut-off moratoriums, SNAP, and continuous enrollment for Medicaid – at the same time everyday costs are increasing,” she said.
Meanwhile, RARA’s food budget alone doubled from 2022 to 2023 due to limited availability of free USDA food and food being more expensive in general.
So, let’s get right to it – how can we help RARA help our neighbors?
First of all, as we noted last week, we can give monetary donations to United Way, which will funnel money to RARA and other important local safety net agencies. Donations through the United Way or made directly to RARA help the agency purchase food and health and hygiene items for the Neighborhood Grocery and help people avoid evictions or utility cut-offs. Ninety-three percent of RARA’s income went directly to programming in 2022, so donors can know their money is specifically supporting families in our area. To find out how to donate directly to RARA, visit www. raralex.org/donate.
We can also make food donations. “Food donations allow us to offer a greater variety of items than we can source from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank,” said Perez. “People can find details and what is most needed by visiting raralex.org/ donate, but we especially like baby items such as food, diapers and wipes; health and hygiene items; and ‘flavor’ such as spices, marinades and sauces, since they are harder to source in bulk.”
And, as in the case with many community organizations, we could volunteer our time. Now, fortunately many area residents are already stepping forward with their time and talents. Perez says RARA currently has over 450 volunteers per year, which includes both long-term volunteers and one-time groups and individuals. Despite the increase in shoppers, the agency is in pretty good shape during distributions.
However, there are a few specific positions that need to be filled, says Perez.
For instance, volunteers are needed Mondays through Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and noon to take phone applications for rent and utility assistance.
Also, more delivery drivers are needed – folks who make occasional food deliveries to people who can’t come to RARA. The agency emails drivers when it has a delivery, and volunteers respond if they are available.
Speaking of drivers, drivers for RARA’s box truck are occasionally needed to pick up donations, fill the truck with gas, or take it for annual inspections/maintenance.
For those of you with basic computer skills, consider becoming an intake volunteer who can check people into an online database at the Neighborhood Grocery on Mondays or Wednesdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
And, finally, bilingual Spanish/English speakers who can help with intake or help shoppers in the grocery would be much appreciated, said Perez.
Anyone interested in volunteering can go to www.raralex.org/volunteer, email [email protected], or call (540) 463-6943.
So there you have it – multiple ways that we can help RARA meet the ever-increasing needs of our neighbors.
Our appreciation goes out to the small staff at RARA and all of the many current volunteers and donors. They are making a big difference in the lives of many of our neighbors, and, if you are able, we urge you to join them.
