At Rocklands, we’ve always believed that great BBQ starts with good ingredients, but it’s sustained by strong community roots. For over 35 years, we haven’t just served the DMV, we’ve been a part of it. Giving back isn’t just charity for us. It’s a responsibility. The neighborhoods that welcomed us on day one are the same ones we’re committed to supporting, every single day.
More Than a Slogan
It’s easy to talk about “feeding the soul,” but at Rocklands, it’s a real promise. Our mission reaches beyond the kitchen. We’re here for our neighbors in good times and tough times, whether we’re sharing a plate of ribs or rolling up our sleeves to help those in need.
The Rocklands Commitment
Our commitment shows up in big ways, like the annual events we host at every Rocklands location and in smaller, everyday choices, like how we source our food or reduce our kitchen waste. Every decision is made with the same goal: Leave the DMV better than we found it.
How does a long-standing local business like Rocklands integrate community philanthropy and sustainable sourcing into its daily operations, and how can DMV residents participate or support these missions? Here’s how we do it.
“Giving Tuesday” and Local Partnerships
Each Rocklands location hosts a “Giving Tuesday,” where a portion of sales goes directly to local non-profit partners; schools, neighborhood groups, hospitals, and organizations that keep our communities strong. In fact, we donate over 1% of all Rocklands sales throughout the year to support these vital causes.
We’re especially proud of the events our teams pull off !
- Arlington’s “Shed Your Coat” Fundraiser: Every winter, our Arlington crew runs this event to collect warm coats and raise funds for Doorways, a shelter supporting women and families healing from domestic violence. It’s not just a fundraiser, it’s a way to help our neighbors feel safe, warm, and cared for.
- Arlington’s Hot Sauce Contest (September): Fire in the belly, fire in the heart. Each fall, we host a Hot Sauce Contest with proceeds going to the DC Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, directly supporting burn survivors and their families.
- Alexandria’s Bourbon Tasting: Good bourbon, good company, and a good cause. Our Alexandria location partners with Alexandria’s Path Forward, an organization helping people experiencing homelessness find stable housing and support.
- Rocktoberfest in Alexandria (October): This isn’t your average Oktoberfest. Our proceeds support Liberty’s Promise, which empowers young immigrants to be active, conscientious members of our community.
- Our DC Store hosts Art All Night which is a city initiative to support local artists and the community! A local band is hired which then plays in the street.
These events are more than just dates on a calendar, they’re a chance for all of us to come together, have fun, and make a real difference.
Non-Profit Spotlights
Our non-profit partners are the real heroes. We’re honored to play a small role in their missions:
- Doorways (Arlington): Providing safe haven and long-term support for families escaping domestic violence.
- Alexandria’s Path Forward: Working year-round to help our homeless neighbors find shelter, stability, and new beginnings.
- DC Fire Fighters Burn Foundation: Supporting burn victims and first responders with critical resources.
- Liberty’s Promise: Lifting up immigrant youth, giving them the tools and confidence to thrive in America.
We choose our partners carefully, focusing on groups that lift up the DMV’s most vulnerable. It’s about building real relationships and showing up, year after year.
Sustainable Sourcing, Feeding the Future
Giving back to the community also means giving back to the land. Great BBQ is only as good as the ingredients you start with, so we make it a point to source locally and sustainably whenever possible. By working with area farms, we keep our menus fresh and our food miles low and we keep dollars flowing into the DMV economy. When you buy local, you’re supporting the families, farmhands, and small businesses who make this place home.
In our kitchens, we’re careful about waste. Composting, recycling, and reducing single-use plastics aren’t just buzzwords for us they’re daily habits. We know that stewardship matters, and we’re always looking for new ways to leave a lighter footprint.
The “Community Impact” Checklist: How You Can Help
Attend: Join us at our next event! Bring your friends, your appetite, and your heart for the community.
Support: Order from any Rocklands location, knowing that a portion of every purchase goes right back to DMV organizations.
Share: Like and follow our non-profit partners on social media, and help spread the word about the good work happening in our neighborhoods.
Our Foundation
Philanthropy and sustainability aren’t “add-ons” at Rocklands, they’re the foundation. Whether we’re firing up the smoker for a backyard pig roast or serving up lunch on a Tuesday, our mission is the same: Serve the best BBQ in the DMV, while caring for the people and places that make it all possible.
Want to Be Part of Our Mission?
Want to know more about our non-profit partners or our approach to sustainability? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch with the latest events, partnerships, and ways you can help.
Together, let’s keep the DMV strong! One plate, one neighbor, and one good deed at a time.
