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The community groups all left with a check and the county residents were given a promise. As officials from Meridian Waste handed out their yearly donations on Thursday, April 10, they also told all of those in attendance at the board of supervisors meeting they planned to return next year with larger amounts. 

Meridian Waste manages the Lunenburg County landfill. As part of its agreement, the company gives $50,000 each year to the board of supervisors, which in turn is charged with allocating it to local groups dealing with public safety and public health. Except next year, the number might be a bit different, Meridian officials said. 

“In addition to its $50,000 in 2024 contributions, Meridian Waste is committing to increasing its annual community investment to $75,000 in fiscal year 2025,” Mary O’Brien told the Dispatch. O’Brien serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Meridian. “This expanded support underscores the company’s dedication to uplifting the communities it serves—both environmentally and socially.” 

The way this works is that every year, the door is open for nonprofits and other community groups to submit requests to the county for funding. The county supervisors in turn assign the Lunenburg County finance committee to review those requests and decide which ones will receive the grant funding. This time around, as we reported back in March, five groups were chosen to share the funding, with the money split evenly at $10,000 each. 

Detailing the Meridian donations 

During the April 10 board of supervisors meeting, each of the five groups chosen was called up, given a check and thanked for their work helping Lunenburg residents. Up first was the Lunenburg Senior Center. Established in 1975, the group provides programs to help promote better health, education and general welfare for the county’s older residents. They plan to use this money to buy new chairs, as the previous ones are old and worn out. Also, Senior Center officials want to buy wider chairs, to make it easier for those who have canes and wheelchairs to use them. 

The Lunenburg-Victoria Community Center also gets funding as part of this year’s program. The facility on 6th Street has been used as both a food bank and a community gathering space, but the focus this time will be on recreation. The $10,000 will help cover the cost of the new skates, as the current roller skates at the facility need to be replaced. 

Community Resource Services will use their portion of the money to help support the food pantry. Created in 2000, the nonprofit doesn’t just cover Lunenburg. It provides resources to families in Nottoway and surrounding counties as well. 

For the Kenbridge Recreation Center, the $10,000 will go to repairs and replacement parts for their HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. The Center is located in the historic Kenbridge High gym, located at 535 E. 5th Avenue. But the facility was built in 1950, so some of the pieces need to be replaced. The town has held fundraisers to raise money for the project and this will help them move forward to keep programs going at the facility, which remains a hub for sports and community events. 

The final part of the funding will go to Lunenburg Health Service, a nonprofit dedicated to helping improve the health and well-being of county residents. The group offers in-home nursing care, health education, and training programs for free. They provide things like walkers, bathroom equipment and other items. 

Happy to help 

Meridian officials said this yearly event is something they look forward to. 

“For a company focused on collecting and literally taking away waste from commercial, industrial, and residential customers, it’s incredibly rewarding to give back in such a meaningful way,” said Joe Gustaf, General Manager of Meridian Waste’s Lunenburg Landfill. “As a resident of (Lunenburg County), I’ve seen firsthand how community needs often exceed available public funding. Meridian Waste is proud to partner with the County—not only in meeting its environmental needs, but also in supporting hunger relief, healthcare access, and vibrant recreational facilities that enrich lives.”