RARA Opens Goshen Food Pantry

The Rockbridge Area Relief Association launched its Neighborhood Grocery food pantry in Goshen last Thursday The program is located in town’s original school buildng at 9742 Maury River Road, which was renovated over the summer to house the town offices and the space for the food pantry. Valley Program for Aging Services is also holding its weekly senior café and the Rockbridge Area Health Center is bringing its mobile clinic there. If Goshen receives the Community Development Block Grant it has applied for, the community center project will be completed at the site.

The Goshen Grocery, as it will be called for short, is open every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. It is available for anyone who could use extra help getting enough food, said RARA Executive Director Lindsey Perez. “Whether you are working and still having trouble making ends meet, already receive other benefits, or are just having a hard month or year, RARA is here to help.”

While food pantries are often associated with prepacked boxes of nonperishable food, RARA is set up like a grocery store, with meat, produce, and pantry staples. Visitors can choose the foods they want based on household size and dietary preferences.

RARA is partnering on the program with the town of Goshen to increase food access in an underserved area of Rockbridge County. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, 21.3% of Goshen’s population live below the poverty line, compared to 8.9% in the county overall. The area is also considered a food desert, with families having to drive 30-45 minutes to a grocery store. “RARA’s goal is to address barriers such as transportation and high food costs by bringing our services directly to Goshen,” added Perez.

Individuals who wish to visit the Goshen Grocery do not need to preregister or bring any documentation. RARA is also accepting food donations, including local produce, which may be dropped off at the Goshen town office during business hours. For more information about RARA’s services or how to contribute monetary donations, visit www. raralex.org.