ROANOKE, Va. (May 20, 2026) — The Local Office on Aging (LOA) will host its 35th annual fundraiser, “Let’s Give Lunch”, on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at North Roanoke Baptist Church, 6402 Peters Creek Road NW in Roanoke.
Proceeds from the event support LOA’s Meals on Wheels program, which serves homebound seniors in Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig, and Alleghany Counties, and the cities of Roanoke, Salem, and Covington.
The Beginning: Lunch on the Lawn
In 1991, LOA—then known as the League of Older Americans—received a Meals on Wheels America grant sponsored by Seagram’s Corporation. LOA was one of only five agencies nationwide to receive the funding. To secure the grant, LOA had to raise matching funds, which led to the creation of the “Lunch on the Lawn” fundraiser.
The event was held June 14, 1991, in a vacant lot adjacent to the LOA offices at 706 Campbell Avenue S.W. in Roanoke. Supporters, neighbors, and business contacts were invited to purchase a picnic-style lunch to be enjoyed “on the lawn” under a massive carnival-style tent. Lunches cost $10 and approximately 600 meals were sold.
Lunch Over the Years
The event soon became an annual community tradition. Over the years, the event expanded to include entertainment and a silent auction. Guests enjoyed clowns, magicians, and live local musical guests. As the number of meals sold continued to increase, a refrigerated truck was rented to keep the meals cold.
LOA CEO and President Ron Boyd, the last remaining LOA staff member who was present when the first Lunch on the Lawn was held said, “I remember it was sweltering hot most years under the tent – so much so that the staff nicknamed the event ‘Sweat on the Grass’. We really didn’t know when we started how it would grow to become the Roanoke Valley tradition it is today.”
Holding the outdoor event presented many challenges, such as extreme heat and monsoon-like summer rains. Due to these issues and costs associated with renting and securing the large tent, in 2002 the event was moved to the Kazim Temple Ballroom and was renamed “Let’s Do Lunch”.
COVID and Rising Costs
In 2018, when LOA moved headquarters to its present location just off Peters Creek Road, Let’s Do Lunch was moved to North Roanoke Baptist Church, down the street from LOA. The summer of 2019 saw the last “Dine-in” lunch event.
In 2020, as the pandemic was in full swing with people sheltering in place in their homes, rather than cancel the event, the decision was made to conduct a virtual fundraiser. Special guest performers and LOA staff were pre-recorded or broadcast live via social media with a new message: “Let’s Give Lunch”. The community responded and an incredible $65,000 was raised.
In 2021, with COVID safety measures still in place, the event was held with drive-thru pickup and delivery options only. Let’s Give Lunch was never again held indoors with dine-in seating.
Let’s Give Lunch Today
In 2025, over 1,100 boxed lunches were sold and $57,000 was raised for Meals on Wheels and LOA’s nutrition programs. Let’s Give Lunch maintains its festive atmosphere with LOA staff and volunteers greeting the train of cars lining up in the drive-thru, and volunteer drivers picking up car-loads of boxed lunches to deliver all over the Roanoke Valley.
LOA’s methods of “doing lunch” have changed, but one premise has remained – a donation/lunch purchase to Let’s Give Lunch provides hot meals to homebound seniors in the community through Meals on Wheels, while the donor receives a gourmet boxed lunch for their own enjoyment. It is truly the lunch that gives back.
Meals on Wheels provides more than just nutrition — it offers critical safety checks and meaningful social connection for vulnerable older adults. For many seniors, the volunteer delivering their meal may be the only person they see for days or even weeks.
“Something as simple as a lunch can mean everything to a senior who is alone,” said Ron Boyd. “This event gives our community an easy, tangible way to step in—ensuring our older neighbors not only have a meal, but also the connection and care that help them remain safe and independent at home.”
Let’s Give Lunch 2026
What: Local Office on Aging Let’s Give Lunch
When: Friday, June 5, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: North Roanoke Baptist Church, 6402 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, VA 24019
Proceeds from the event support LOA’s Meals on Wheels program, which serves homebound seniors in Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig, and Alleghany Counties, and the cities of Roanoke, Salem, and Covington.
Other ways to support this important fundraiser include making an outright donation, volunteering, or purchasing raffle tickets.
To place an order, donate, purchase raffle tickets, or learn more, visit loaa.org/letsgivelunch or call LOA at (540) 345-0451.