Are you a supporter—a donor or volunteer—and interested in learning more about the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank? Discover our work alongside Leigh Kirchner, our director of development and donor relations, as she journeys through her first year in food banking. This is the third in a series of blog posts from Leigh in which she shares stories and reflections on what it takes to make sure everyone has enough to eat.
My continuing journey of discovery in the world of food banking recently took me to Lexington, where my colleague Robin Swecker arranged for us to visit the Rockbridge Area Relief Association. Cited as “the largest not-for-profit organization alleviating hunger and addressing poverty in the Rockbridge area,” the agency offers a food pantry, stocked in large part by the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Unlike Timberville, the town I recently visited for a Mobile Food Pantry distribution, Lexington is a place I’m familiar with. In fact, I grew up in the nearby village of Fairfield. Lexington is the “town” we referred to when we’d say, “I’m going into town!”
When people ask me what Lexington is like, my response usually focuses on its nature as a college town, as the home to Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute; a tourist destination for people who enjoy history—particularly that of the American Civil War—as it’s the burial home of generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (as well as their horses, Traveller and Little Sorrel); and that it’s surrounded by the sometimes pastoral, sometimes wild, but absolutely unrivaled natural beauty of Rockbridge County.
“Innovative” wasn’t a word I’d ever used to describe Lexington. After all, aren’t history and innovation at odds? But my latest trip to Lexington has me reconsidering my description of home. There’s no doubt that it’s changing.
Witnessing evolution in my hometown
The Rockbridge Area Relief Association, affectionately referred to as “RARA,” is housed in the old Lexington Volunteer Rescue Squad building. It’s situated between Stonewall Jackson Hospital, where I was born, and Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, where my grandfather, “Granddaddy Lee” (whom I’m named after), was laid to rest nearly 25 years ago. Like many other towns across the United States, Lexington is working toward becoming more inclusive by reflecting and respecting the diversity of its residents. Last year, this effort led to some name changes: The hospital announced it would change its name to Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, and the graveyard was given the new title of Oak Grove Cemetery.
Robin Swecker, the Food Bank’s partner engagement coordinator (Shenandoah Valley), stands with and Lindsey Perez, RARA’s programs manager.
RARA is working under a model of inclusivity, too, by pairing their efforts to alleviate hunger with methods to address poverty. “There’s more to hunger than going hungry,” their website reads. “Every day, individuals sacrifice meals to keep the lights on and pay rent.” So, in addition to its food pantry, RARA also operates a program called the HelpLine, which aids residents in times of emergency by coordinating temporary assistance with rent, utilities, heating fuel, or gas. And, as part of the Valley Homeless Connection Local Planning Group, RARA partners with other area agencies to provide a centralized intake process for individuals and families facing housing crises. The approach is certainly holistic.
So, when I walked into the building and saw the old rescue squad’s emblem on the wall, I thought, “Yep. This still fits.” RARA is part of Lexington’s life-saving crew.
Uncovering innovation at the food pantry
RARA speaks the language of inclusivity, dignity, and respect through its Food Pantry program, too. As encouraged by the Food Bank, the pantry follows a client-choice framework, meaning that (during non-pandemic times) visitors can choose from various canned goods, soups, cereals, and/or pastas lining the shelves. Over the past year, RARA has adapted to align with pandemic safety protocols: Now, clients who visit the pantry during their drive-through hours receive order forms when they arrive, and—once selections are made—volunteers help pack up orders and load them into vehicles.
When I asked Lindsey Perez, RARA’s programs manager, what her greatest joy has been over the past year, she laughed and sheepishly told me it was starting a Senior Food Box program. Robin chimed in to provide some background on what an enormous undertaking this was for Lindsey. But Lindsey was compelled to do it since the organization providing that service before was unable to continue during the pandemic. She told me the joy comes in delivering those boxes each month and interacting with older clients.
In addition to honoring clients’ choices and delivering food to seniors, RARA also meets neighbors’ needs through their very own Mobile Food Pantry Program. Rockbridge County is large, and for a population often impeded by a lack of transportation, the Mobile Food Pantry provides another lifeline for neighbors seeking food.
Redefining what I thought I knew
Before I began working at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, my idea of a food pantry was shaped by the one my grandmother operated from the basement of her church with a few other volunteers from her congregation. Although I’ve since learned that there are many different types of pantries in our partner network, I was still surprised to discover and impressed by everything this small agency is taking on. Their food pantry not only operates localized versions of some programs the Food Bank offers, like the Mobile Food Pantry and Senior Food Boxes, but they’ve also been early adopters of some of the best practices promoted by the Food Bank, including client-choice modeling and promoting nutritional education.
This trip back home was an awakening experience for me. The world is changing, and it’s bringing the charitable–food assistance network along with it. Perhaps Lexington’s no longer just a destination for Civil-War buffs and outdoor lovers. Perhaps the city is on the verge of something more—something for everyone—and the Rockbridge Area Relief Association is leading the way. What a joy it was to return to a place I’ve always thought of as historic and to find so much innovation there. I think I’ll have to spend some time re-working my description of home.
Leigh Kirchner
Director of Development & Donor Relations
P.S. Please consider donating to the Food Bank to help us continue stocking the shelves of our community partners, including RARA. All of our neighbors should have enough to eat, and your gift can make a difference. Take action at www.brafb.org/donate.