Rockbridge food pantry strives to feed hungry locals
Robert Armstrong
Issue date: 1/26/05 Section: News
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Craig Newman, a graduate of Hampton-Sydney College, has volunteered to head-start a P.R. campaign. His first goal as P.R. representative of RARA is to reach out to local churches and the W&L community.
"Churches are the driving force behind this," Newman said. "But we still have many untapped resources," he explained.
Newman will begin a support letter campaign to local civic organizations. A critical resource, Newman said, is the local W&L community.
"In the past, we've never been able to reach out to W&L," said Newman, who explained how fraternities and sororities in the past would be the ones reaching out to RARA at infrequent and unscheduled times. "This doesn't seem to be an efficient system," he concluded.
Bob Monahan has been co-supervisor of the pantry since Oct. 2003. He emphasized the critical role that local grocery stores have played in supporting the food pantry.
"Our largest single source is the local Kroger," Monahan said. "Their manager, Brian Simpkins, bends over backwards for us. We all owe him a huge thanks," Monahan added.
But to Simpkins, he's just doing his part.
"We have a store policy to give back to the community. They support us, and we support them," said Simpkins, who has spent 18 years working with Kroger. His experience of delivering Kroger food baskets to the poor during the holiday season was informative. "You really don't realize what's out there till you actually see it for yourself," he said.
As for Shultis, Monahan, and the rest of the volunteers at the food pantry, they're taking it one day at a time. "The pantry has never run out of food," Shultis said. He hopes it never will.
To arrange a fund drive for RARA, you can call their offices at 540-463-6943. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 640, Lexington, VA 24450
"Churches are the driving force behind this," Newman said. "But we still have many untapped resources," he explained.
Newman will begin a support letter campaign to local civic organizations. A critical resource, Newman said, is the local W&L community.
"In the past, we've never been able to reach out to W&L," said Newman, who explained how fraternities and sororities in the past would be the ones reaching out to RARA at infrequent and unscheduled times. "This doesn't seem to be an efficient system," he concluded.
Bob Monahan has been co-supervisor of the pantry since Oct. 2003. He emphasized the critical role that local grocery stores have played in supporting the food pantry.
"Our largest single source is the local Kroger," Monahan said. "Their manager, Brian Simpkins, bends over backwards for us. We all owe him a huge thanks," Monahan added.
But to Simpkins, he's just doing his part.
"We have a store policy to give back to the community. They support us, and we support them," said Simpkins, who has spent 18 years working with Kroger. His experience of delivering Kroger food baskets to the poor during the holiday season was informative. "You really don't realize what's out there till you actually see it for yourself," he said.
As for Shultis, Monahan, and the rest of the volunteers at the food pantry, they're taking it one day at a time. "The pantry has never run out of food," Shultis said. He hopes it never will.
To arrange a fund drive for RARA, you can call their offices at 540-463-6943. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 640, Lexington, VA 24450