Campus Kitchen, RARA Adding Effinger, Raphine
The Campus Kitchen at Washington and Lee University and Rockbridge Area Relief Association have announced two new sites for their mobile food pantry program serving Rockbridge County.
The two new mobile food pantry sites will be at the Effinger Volunteer Fire Department from 2 to 3 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month beginning Jan. 8, and at the Raphine Volunteer Fire Department from 2 to 3 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month beginning Feb. 5.
Both the Effinger and Raphine sites will offer a variety of fresh produce, frozen meat and nonperishable items monthly through 2026. There are no income requirements or restrictions and individuals can preregister by contacting Campus Kitchen at (540) 458-8784 or completing the online form at https://forms.gle/hsJ7bgkHodhyURrn6.
“A key driver of food insecurity in a rural area like Rockbridge County is the long driving distances to food pantries and grocery stores,” said Ryan Brink, assistant director of the Shepherd Program at W&L and Campus Kitchen coordinator. “The Campus Kitchen-RARA mobile food pantry is uniquely positioned to address that barrier, and we are excited to expand our program to better meet the needs of our community through the establishment of these two new pilot locations.” The mobile food pantry currently operates sites at the Natural Bridge Volunteer Fire Department from 2 to 3 p.m. on the second Friday of each month, the Lexington House and Windemere Apartments from 1 to 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month and Fairfield Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Friday of each month. Home deliveries to Rockbridge Baths are also available on the first Friday of each month.
The mobile food pantry, founded in 2015, partners with the Rockbridge Area Relief Association and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. The program has received funding this year from United Way of Rockbridge, Grace Episcopal Christian Outreach Committee and Carilion Clinical Community Health and Outreach.
Learn more about Campus Kitchen at W&L at https://go.wlu.edu/ckwl.
