Local nonprofits brief supervisors on school food bags, pantry needs and county support
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Summary
Lunchbox 276 and the Appalachian Cupboard of Kindness described expanding operations to Dickinson County and asked the board for help with volunteers, storage and modest funding. County agencies and the Dickinson County Food Bank offered logistical support and possible space and equipment solutions.
Two nonprofit presentations and a food-bank director updated the board on local hunger-relief efforts and sought county assistance.
Diana James, program coordinator for Lunchbox 276, told the board her group distributes weekend food bags for students and has grown regionally from about 400 to roughly 1,200 bags per week; Lunchbox 276 now serves Dickinson County schools and partners with churches, UVA Wise student groups and volunteers. James clarified that funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development covers administrative costs only and cannot be used to buy food; food comes from donations and local partnerships. Ridgeview schools currently receive 250 bags weekly and Lunchbox would like to increase that by about 100 to meet rising need.
Stephanie Sutherland, founder of the Appalachian Cupboard of Kindness, described a small community pantry serving Sand Lake and nearby hollers; her primary needs are a stable storage location, refrigeration for perishables and guidance on grants and local support. Andy Rose of the Dickinson County Food Bank offered to reallocate some budget lines to support the new pantry and suggested mobile refrigeration/trailer options and Kiwanis or other partner buildings for temporary storage.
Supervisors and county staff discussed county-owned property constraints (many parcels in the flood plain), possible Kiwanis club cooperation and the use of existing trailers or mobile units. Staff said they were searching for suitable county properties or partner buildings and would continue coordinating with nonprofits to identify storage and grant options.
Outcome: Board pledged help locating space and encouraged coordination among Lunchbox 276, Appalachian Cupboard, the Dickinson County Food Bank and county staff; supervisors suggested pursuing small reallocation of budgets where appropriate.