By Alejandra Pacheco
The Rockbridge Area Relief Association has set up a food pantry in Goshen’s renovated community center.
The new pantry addresses a growing need for food assistance in the town. About 21% of Goshen’s residents live below the poverty line, which is more than double the rate in Rockbridge County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“The community came forward and asked for some sort of service to help people who are struggling to get groceries,” said Shadrey Sans, RARA’s programs manager. “They don’t have a ton of grocery store options in the surrounding area.”
The southwest rural region of the state includes eight of the 10 locations with the highest rates of food insecurity, according to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.
Goshen lacks much industry since the Stillwater textile plant closed in 2003, which created a greater need for food assistance.
“When it shut down a lot of people had to leave town to find work elsewhere, which put the town in a bind,” said Tom McCraw, Goshen’s mayor.
The need for food assistance is growing throughout the region. RARA’s Lexington pantry now serves about 55 households, which has doubled since COVID.
The food pantry location at 9742 Maury River Road, was picked because many residents without transportation can walk to the store. Besides canned and dry goods, the Goshen pantry offers fresh produce and meat. Many pantries can’t offer those goods because they require refrigeration.
The store is open from 2-4 p.m. Thursdays.