Wise County Public Schools

Click here to watch a video message from Governor, Glenn Youngkin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q43vmR0bFP8

Wise, VA – September 19, 2025 — The communities of Wise, Dickenson and Norton City gathered today in Wise, Virginia to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lunchbox276, one of the region’s most impactful food assistance initiatives. With the support of local leaders and special appearances by Governor Glenn Youngkin and Maggie Beal, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the event highlighted the program’s expanding mission to combat food insecurity for school children in Wise and Dickenson Counties, and the City of Norton.

Lunchbox276 is now the second-largest backpack meal program west of Roanoke, and is projected to provide more than 50,000 meals over the coming school year. The program currently distributes 1,000 weekend food bags every week to students in need, each one filled with child-friendly, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare meals. Bags are discreetly delivered by teachers each Friday, or before long school breaks.

Funded entirely by donations, grants, and volunteer support, the program operates with a monthly cost of $15,000, underscoring the ongoing need for community engagement and contributions.

Wise County Public Schools extends their gratitude to the many individuals and organizations that make Lunchbox276 possible, including:

-Wise, Dickenson, and Norton City School division staff and volunteers
-Local governmental leadership in Wise County, and Mr. Mike Hatfield, Wise County Administrator
-LENOWISCO Planning District Commission
-The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
-Lunchbox276 Program Director Mary Beth Masters, whose tireless dedication has brought the program to life.

How to Support Lunchbox276

Community members and organizations wishing to support Lunchbox276 can contribute through the following platforms:

PayPal: @Lunchbox276
Venmo: @Lunchbox276
Cash App: $LBX276

For more information about the program or how to get involved, please visit https://www.lunchbox276.com/, or your local school division.

Lunchbox276 Contact:
Mary Beth Masters
Lunchbox276 Program Director
mmasters@wisek12.org