Sisterhood Spotlight

What inspired you to launch Lunchbox276, and how have the needs of children in your community shaped the mission of your work?

I’ve been involved with Lunchbox276 since it began over a decade ago. Our mission is to alleviate childhood hunger by providing nutritious weekend food bags to students experiencing food insecurity. We strive to ensure that every child in our community has the nourishment they need to thrive, learn, and grow regardless of their circumstances. By supporting food insecure students, we’re working to build a brighter, healthier future for the youth in our region.

The inspiration for launching our weekend food bag program came directly from the students I see at school every day. On Monday mornings, many of them would arrive hungry and unable to focus. Some would share how little food they had at home, or express worry about what they would eat over the weekend. It was heartbreaking to witness. As educators, our primary goal is to help students learn and succeed but it’s nearly impossible for a child to learn when their basic needs aren’t being met.

At first, our goal was simple, get food into the hands of hungry kids. But we quickly learned it wasn’t just about calories it was about providing  nutritious, accessible food that children could prepare on their own or with minimal adult supervision. We focus on items that are easy to open and ready to eat, such as pop-top cans of soup or pasta, fruit cups, shelf stable snacks, and microwaveable meals.

We also realized how important consistency is. Our students and families rely on us every single weekend, so reliability became a core part of our mission. In the winter, when snow is in the forecast, our volunteers act quickly to pack and distribute food bags early, ensuring no child goes without if school is canceled due to weather.

Ultimately, the mission of our work has evolved from simply providing food to fostering a sense of security and stability for our students. When a child doesn’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, they can come to school ready to learn, to play, and just to be a kid.

You often say Lunchbox276 is about more than a meal—it’s about connection. What role does mentorship play in what you’re building?

Our weekend food program is about more than just providing meals, it’s about building connections. When we first started, our primary goal was simply to get food into the hands of hungry kids. But we quickly realized that receiving a food bag can also be a powerful act of connection and care.

For example, we’ve included handwritten encouragement notes from UVA-Wise students and faculty in our food bags. Around the holidays, a generous family reached out to purchase tennis shoes and school sweatshirts for our students. One local entrepreneur hosted a “Purchase with Purpose” event during our Back-to-School Bash, donating a school spirit shirt to a Lunchbox276 student for every one sold ensuring students who couldn’t afford one still felt included and proud of their school.

This past year, we had a wonderful mentorship collaboration with business students from UVA-Wise. They worked alongside Lunchbox276 and Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands to develop a public relations campaign aimed at increasing visibility, funding, and volunteerism for our organizations. These students conducted research, held client meetings, and even volunteered with us to better understand our mission and needs. We’re excited about continuing this partnership in the coming year, possibly expanding it through student internships.

We’re also proud to provide a meaningful way for many middle school, high school, and college students to earn volunteer hours while making a real difference in their community. Their support is invaluable.  We truly couldn’t do this work without them.

Southwest Virginia is known for its strength and resilience. How have local partnerships or volunteers helped your vision grow?

That’s an excellent question, and it truly gets to the heart of what makes Southwest Virginia so special. Our region is defined by strength and resilience, and those qualities shine through in the incredible local partnerships and volunteers who have helped our weekend food bag program grow beyond anything we imagined. In Southwest Virginia, you quickly learn that you’re never truly alone when there’s a need in the community.

Local churches, businesses, and civic organizations have stepped up in ways that reflect the spirit and tenacity of our region. From organizing food drives, 5Ks, and cut-a-thons, to volunteering their time to pack bags alongside numerous student groups and athletic teams, their commitment has been remarkable. Our partners don’t just contribute, they show up. Their hands-on involvement ensures that each food bag is thoughtfully packed and ready every Friday for pickup and delivery.

Wise County Schools has also been an outstanding partner, providing a box truck and staff to help distribute food bags to schools each week. This kind of dependable support is essential to our program’s sustainability. They’re not just lending a hand, they’re investing in the future of our students.

And of course, our teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators are the backbone of the program. They witness firsthand the challenges that food insecure students face. Their ability to identify students in need and discreetly distribute food bags ensuring weekend meals are delivered to children in a way that respects their privacy and dignity.

In February, Governor Youngkin announced the Lunchbox276 Expansion Project, funded through DHCD’s Community Development Block Grants. This public service initiative will help address food insecurity among low income students in Dickenson County, Wise County, and the City of Norton. We’re incredibly excited about this opportunity to expand our reach and become a true regional backpack program, serving over 1,000 students each week. According to Feeding Southwest Virginia, this expansion will make Lunchbox276 the second largest weekend backpack program west of Roanoke. This project is a powerful reflection of our core belief that every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive without hunger.

Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of children one food bag at a time. That’s the Southwest Virginia way.

For families or individuals who want to get involved—or for communities looking to replicate your impact—what resources or supports are most critical to success?

Starting a weekend backpack program to support food insecure students is a meaningful and impactful way to give back to your community. The first step is to understand the specific needs of students in your area. I recommend partnering with local schools to identify how many students require support.

Weekend backpack programs like Lunchbox276 ensure that students return to school on Monday fed and ready to learn. This not only reduces absenteeism but also increases instructional time, leading to improved academic outcomes for children living in low income communities.

Next, focus on building a strong support network. This is the heart of your program.   Reach out to local businesses, faith-based organizations, civic groups, and community members for food donations, financial support, and volunteers. Consistent fundraising and community awareness are essential for long term growth and sustainability.

With compassion, thoughtful planning, and strong community collaboration, a weekend backpack program can make a powerful difference in the lives of students and their families no matter where you live.

About Mary Beth Masters

Mary Beth is known for her love for children and her unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing learning environment.
She is especially passionate about helping students facing food insecurity. As the program coordinator for Lunchbox276, a nonprofit founded to feed hungry children in Southwest Virginia, Mary Beth works tirelessly to ensure students have the nourishment they need over the weekend. Her mission is simple, to make sure no child starts the school week hungry, but instead arrives ready to learn and succeed.

Mary Beth finds her greatest joy in her family.  She’s a proud mother of three and a loving Gigi to her two precious grandchildren - Klarke and Tucker. She treasures every minute she spends with them!