Donating Food
We appreciate food donations as they are a wonderful way to contribute to the community and provide us with a greater variety of items than we can source through our area Food Bank. We especially enjoy when local farmers or families grow an extra row of produce so that we can share fresh, healthy items with shoppers!
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Non-perishable items, empty boxes, or grocery bags may be left in our donation bin on the right side of the building at any time. If you would like to donate perishable items such as produce or eggs, or you would like a receipt, please ring the doorbell during our office hours below. If possible, we recommend avoiding our busiest times during distribution since the parking lot can be crowded (Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays from 2-3:30pm and Saturdays from 9:30-11am).
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Office Hours:
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Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 9am-4:30pm
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Tuesdays 9am-2pm
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Saturdays 9am-12pm
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If you would like ideas of what to donate, please see our list of Most Needed Items.
Making a Stock Gift
RARA accepts gifts of stocks or securities. The following information can be shared with your broker to initiate a gift. Please call our office at (540) 463-6943 to alert us to your stock transfer.
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Account Registration: Rockbridge Area Relief Association
RARA Account #: 237-12841-1-4
Firm: Edward Jones
103 E Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Edward Jones DTC #: 0057
Making a Legacy Gift
You may leave a legacy gift for RARA in your will or estate plans. The following information is required in your documents:
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Legal Name: Rockbridge Area Relief Association
Federal Tax ID Number: 23-7303807
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We suggest the following wording for a general bequest:
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"I give Rockbridge Area Relief Association, 350 Spotswood Drive, Lexington, VA 24450, Federal Tax ID Number 23-7303807 the sum of $_____ or _____% of my estate."
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Please consult your financial advisor for additional support. If you have questions, you may contact our office at (540) 463-6943 or send an email to office@raralex.org.
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Who can visit the Neighborhood Grocery?Anyone that needs food may visit. We have plenty of food for everyone, whether you just need help making it to the end of the month or you need a reliable source of groceries throughout the year. We do ask about your monthly income during registration, but this is self-reported and will not impact your ability to get food.
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Does receiving help from RARA depend on immigration status? Could it affect someone’s immigration status?We are a private organization and not part of any government agencies. We’ll help everyone, no matter what their immigration status is. Whatever information you chose to share with us will remain completely confidential.
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How often can I visit?You can visit the Neighborhood Grocery as often as once per week.
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What types of food are in the Neighborhood Grocery?We have fresh veggies, meat, dairy, bread, eggs, and more. We stock canned items like tuna, soup, fruit, and veggies, as well as cereal, pasta, and dried beans. We also have health and hygiene items such as toilet paper, soap, dish soap, and laundry detergent.
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Do I need to bring ID or other paperwork?No, no documents of any kind are required to visit. All of our registration questions (name, age, address, income, etc) are self-reported.
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How long will my visit take?Depending on how busy we are and how quickly you shop, a visit usually takes 15-30 minutes. The first time you visit will take the longest, as we will register you before you shop (a 5-minute process). Most people arrive right when we open, so your visit may be faster if you come at least 30 minutes later. We won't run out of food!
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Can I schedule a pick-up time?We offer some scheduled pick-ups for people who are unable or prefer not to come inside. Click here or call (540) 463-6943 to request a pick-up.
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Do you offer deliveries?We are able to offer deliveries on a limited basis to households with no transportation and no reliable way to get to the Neighborhood Grocery by friends, family, or bus. Click here or call (540) 463-6943 to request a delivery.
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Where do you get your food?RARA receives weekly deliveries from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAFB) of both USDA and non-USDA food. We occasionally supplement those items by purchasing from other vendors to ensure we have plenty of meat and fresh produce. We also partner with local grocery stores to reclaim over 84,000 pounds of healthy food that would otherwise be go to a landfill due to things like ordering errors or problems with packaging. Community members frequently support RARA through food drives or by growing an "extra row" of produce in their garden to donate. These donations allow us to provide a more diverse selection of items than what we could source from BRAFB alone.
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Do you give out pet food?Yes, the Rockbridge Animal Alliance distributes pet food in our Neighborhood Grocery on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10am-12pm.
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When is The Community Table open?The Community Table (TCT) is located in the RARA building but is a separate organization. They serve hot meals downstairs on Mondays from 6-7pm and Wednesdays from 12-1pm. They are also at Fairfield Presbyterian Church on Fridays from 10am-12pm. Visit www.communitytablerockbridge.org for more information.
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How do I sign up for Rockbridge Christmas Baskets?Although RARA helps source some of the food for Rockbridge Christmas Baskets, it is run by a separate organization. Visit their website for more information.