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VOLUNTEER

We could not do our work at RARA without the support of amazing volunteers! Scroll down to see how you can get started on the team.

400+

volunteers annually

8,075

hours volunteered in 2024

Volunteers are the heart of RARA! Whether through taking phone applications for Utilities Assistance or Housing Support, restocking and organizing the Neighborhood Grocery, or helping people shop for food, we are able to serve our community because of people like you.

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You can volunteer on a regular basis or sign up occasionally as your schedule allows. You may sign up for our Neighborhood Grocery shifts below, or you can contact our Neighborhood Grocery Manager at grocery.manager@raralex.org or (540) 463-6943 for other opportunities or questions. To volunteer with the Utilities Assistance and Housing Support programs, email our HelpLine Manager at help.manager@raralex.org.

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In addition to our regular shifts, we sometimes need volunteers with special skills. Let us know if you have a talent that might help! We could use the following skills in particular right now:

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  • Native or advanced Spanish proficiency

  • Handy skills like painting, carpentry, or general maintenance

  • Social media design

  • Community event outreach

  • 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.
  • 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 do not collect information on immigration status, and all data we do collect is kept confidential.
  • How often can I visit?
    You can visit the Neighborhood Grocery as often as once per week.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Do you give out pet food?
    The Rockbridge Animal Alliance is no longer holding a Pet Food Pantry at RARA. Please visit their website for an emergency pet food request.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Register for a Volunteer Shift

GivePulse

350 Spotswood Drive

Lexington, VA 24450

Phone: (540) 463-6943

Email: office@raralex.org

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© 2022 by Rockbridge Area Relief Association

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