CLINTWOOD, Va. — The Health Wagon and its community partners will distribute free Thanksgiving meals and food boxes to families in Dickenson County on Nov. 19.
The giveaway will begin at 2 p.m. at the Dickenson Center for Education and Research, 818 Happy Valley Drive in Clintwood.
The event will provide Thanksgiving dinners for 500 households. Each household will receive a box of traditional Thanksgiving side dishes and a voucher to select a turkey or ham.
Feeding Southwest Virginia will contribute 1,000 food boxes, representing approximately $30,000 in food assistance.
The distribution will include 500 Healthy Choice food boxes and 500 Kids 5-Day Food Boxes containing pantry staples such as canned vegetables, chicken, pasta, beans, fruit and applesauce. The boxes also will include menus and recipe cards to help families prepare nutritious meals beyond Thanksgiving.
“Food insecurity continues to affect families throughout Southwest Virginia,” said Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, president and CEO of the Health Wagon.
The organization’s 2025 food insecurity survey found that 81.4% of respondents said they sometimes or often worried about running out of food before having enough money to buy more.
Tyson said the findings highlight the importance of food assistance, particularly during the holiday season when families face additional expenses.
Dickenson County Administrator Larry Barton said the giveaway demonstrates the importance of community partnerships.
“When community partners come together with a shared purpose, we can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors,” Barton said. “Their generosity reflects the strength of Dickenson County and the spirit of caring that defines our region.”
The event is organized by the Health Wagon in partnership with Dickenson County and local businesses, schools, civic organizations and community supporters.
Josh Evans, Dickenson County circuit court clerk, said the annual effort has helped ensure hundreds of families have a holiday meal.
“A holiday meal giveaway is about more than just food on a table, it’s about wrapping a family in dignity, warmth, and the comforting reminder that they belong to a community that cares,” Evans said.
The giveaway is supported by Food City, IGA, Feeding Southwest Virginia, the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors, Communities in Schools, Beta Club, Ridgeview Nursing Program, Lions Club and Kiwanis Club.
Special accommodations or extreme circumstances requiring pre-registration can be arranged by calling the Health Wagon’s Jo Ella Dales at 276-207-2828.
Additional food and free items will be available while supplies last.
