Lunchbox276: Serving Children, Strengthening Community

In the mountains of Southwest Virginia, one UVA Wise alumna turned her compassion and commitment to serving those in need into something far greater than herself. What started in 2015 as an extended period of snow days during the school year and a community’s shared worry for hungry students led Mary Beth Masters ’88, along with a supporting cast, to step up and address the need head-on. Originally called the Lunchbox Project, the initiative that is now Lunchbox276 has turned into a beacon of hope and lasting nourishment for children across the region.

Born and raised in Wise, Virginia, Masters began her journey of serving others when she became an elementary education major at Clinch Valley College (CVC). Her time at CVC was marked by her close relationships with faculty, who recognized her potential and encouraged her to get involved.

Masters remembers Lana Low, a former professor of education and director of enrollment management at UVA Wise, as playing a key role in her journey within the education department. 

“Lunchbox276 could not exist without our volunteers and donors. They are such an important part of the program, and we’re so fortunate to be in a community that is always willing to help.”

— Mary Beth Masters ’88

“She was instrumental in getting me involved with the Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA). I became very active at the state level, and at one conference, we were riding a roller coaster at Busch Gardens when she said, ‘You need to run for office.’ That day at lunch, we wrote a little speech on a napkin, and I ran for member-at-large and won. The next year, I became state SVEA president and even sat on the SVEA board. It was such an exciting experience to be involved at that level,” said Masters.

After graduating from the College in 1988, Masters landed a position teaching special education at Pound High School, roughly a week before the start of the school year. 

“All of my training had been in elementary education, but I wasn’t worried about teaching high school special education. I truly felt like my time at the College had prepared me for whatever role I was going to take on,” said Masters. 

From there, she briefly taught at L.F. Addington Middle School before finding her place at Wise Primary School (WPS), where she has spent most of her career. After many years teaching third grade, she became the school’s family engagement coordinator, a role she has held for 13 years, helping connect families, teachers and students across the community.

When asked what drew her to teaching, Masters said her answer is simple: a genuine love for children. She believes that passion is at the heart of every good educator. 

“You have to love being around kids,” said Masters. “That’s also why Lunchbox276 is so close to my heart, because of my love for children and desire for them to succeed.”

That passion for supporting children soon turned into action beyond the classroom. In 2015, nearly a month of school closures left Masters and other teachers, parents and community members worried about students who depended on school meals. They teamed up with a local church that regularly helped cover cafeteria meal costs at WPS, gathered at Walmart and filled carts with enough food to make the receipt stretch to the floor. With the help of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the team was able to meet up and distribute several food boxes across the county. 

“It was a very eye-opening experience,” said Masters. “We knew there was a need, but seeing it firsthand made us realize that this wasn’t just a problem during a snowstorm, it was something we needed to address year-round.”

And so they did. After several meetings, the Lunchbox Project was born. For nearly a decade, the project operated out of half of a classroom, with volunteers often working shoulder-to-shoulder, with boxes all around. 

Community support has always been the backbone of the project. From local businesses to families and volunteers, support poured in, allowing the initiative to slowly expand. In 2017, the Lunchbox Project became a nonprofit under its new name, Lunchbox276, with the goal of expanding into a regional backpack program. 

Since then, the organization’s strength is that it has remained deeply rooted in its community. Several local churches, businesses and organizations have supported the Lunchbox276 from day one. From collecting donations to gathering volunteers to pack bags, the nonprofit exists and continues to grow because of the unwavering generosity of the people it serves alongside. 

“Lunchbox276 could not exist without our volunteers and donors,” said Masters. “They are such an important part of the program, and we’re so fortunate to be in a community that is always willing to help. If we put out a call for volunteers, people show up that evening ready to pitch in. We are truly blessed by the generosity and dedication of this community.”

That spirit of service extends to UVA Wise, as several campus organizations and athletic teams volunteer regularly. 

I just can’t say enough about UVA Wise and their support of Lunchbox276. I believe every week of 2025 has been covered by either a sports team or an on-campus organization.

— Mary Beth Masters ’88

Many Highland Cavalier athletic teams regularly visit to help pack bags and prepare food, providing steady hands and energy when it’s needed most. The football team, in particular, has become known for stepping up wherever help is needed, sometimes even when they’re at the primary school for other reasons. Whether it’s carrying boxes, taking out trash or unloading deliveries, the players never hesitate to lend a hand. 

“Every team’s willingness to help, combined with the coaches’ active involvement, really reflects how community service has become a shared value across campus. They are helping build a true culture of support and giving back,” said Masters. 

Campus groups from classes like Introduction to Public Relations, taught by UVA Wise Instructor of Communication Brittany Robertson ’07, have also supported the nonprofit by creating campaigns to boost its visibility and reach while also pitching in to help pack bags. 

Since its establishment as a nonprofit in 2017, Lunchbox276 has grown in more ways than one. In September 2025, the program celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its new, larger facility, which is designed to make operations smoother and serve more students. With expanded space for packing, storage and food prep, including room to add fresh fruits to the bags, Lunchbox276 can now prepare and distribute even more meal bags to children in need across Wise County, Dickenson County and the City of Norton. 

In addition to the new facility, Lunchbox276 also added two positions — one full-time and one part-time — to manage operations and support the growing number of students it serves. 

These developments have positioned Lunchbox276 for even greater impact. The program is now the second-largest backpack initiative west of Roanoke, with a continued focus on reaching as many children as possible.

When asked what advice she would give to current students or alumni who want to make a difference in their own communities, Masters reflected on her own experience with Lunchbox276. 

“For me, Lunchbox276 is my heart,” she said. “I think whatever program or cause you choose to support, it’s important that it aligns with you and that you have a deep dedication to it. Whatever it is, just bring your heart to the work and commit to making a difference.”