Find Help: Pound & Wise County Community Resources | FPR
Current, verified help for food, shelter, utilities, crisis support, clothing, jobs, veterans, transportation and other needs in Pound, Wise County and Southwest Virginia, plus the FPR Regional Resource Network.
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Shared Pound distance reference: 8467 Main St, Pound, VA 24279 (address adjoining the former Pound Post Office). All landmark distances are approximate straight-line miles, not driving miles. The original post office entrance is still unconfirmed.
Map unavailable. The assistance directory below still includes addresses, phone numbers and directions.
Location privacy: GPS is requested only after you press the button and approve access. FPR does not receive, log or store your device coordinates. OpenStreetMap supplies the map tiles; directions can open Google Maps under its own privacy policy. Distances are approximate straight-line miles, not road miles.
Crisis help. LGBTQ+ support. You belong here.
Need someone to talk to now? In the United States and its territories, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline supports people experiencing a suicide crisis or emotional distress.
The Trevor Project — support for LGBTQ+ young people
Recommended by members of FPR’s LGBTQ+ community. The Trevor Project offers free, confidential crisis counseling for LGBTQ+ young people in the United States, 24 hours a day, every day.
Text START to 678-678, call 1-866-488-7386, or use the chat on Trevor’s official help page.
Verified against The Trevor Project’s official help page on October 22, 2026. Message and data rates may apply. Trevor explains that certain instances of abuse or imminent suicide risk may require contact with child welfare or emergency services; see its official terms for details.
FPR stands with our LGBTQ+ community.
Freedom’s Purchase Ranch welcomes and supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and other LGBTQ+ people. You deserve dignity, respect and belonging, whatever your sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our commitment is to treat people with respect, stand against harassment and discrimination, and help connect our neighbors with useful resources. You do not need to disclose your identity to use this directory.
For non-urgent community questions: contact FPR. FPR is a developing community project, not a crisis hotline or clinical provider. Our contact form is not monitored for emergencies; use the crisis service above for immediate emotional support.
Crisis contact checked October 22, 2026. These national services are available to people in Pound, Wise County and beyond.
Find verified help, services, grants, workforce resources, veteran assistance and rural infrastructure funding around Pound, Wise County and Southwest Virginia. Start with the navigator below, then confirm availability directly with the provider before relying on any program, deadline, supply or eligibility detail.
Verified resource directories beyond Wise County
FPR is expanding this model city-by-city and into underserved rural regions. Each directory is sourced from official government, provider and nonprofit pages, dated when verified, and designed for periodic re-checks so stale listings can be flagged instead of silently lingering.
Knoxville & Knox County, Tennessee
Pilot City 01 · Live
Homelessness, emergency shelter, food, utilities, transportation, jobs, legal aid, behavioral-health crisis care, domestic-violence support and Veteran resources.
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Distance reference: old Pound Post Office on Main Street. Its former building address still needs confirmation, so numeric mileage is deliberately withheld. Each address has a direct directions link in the meantime. Driving distances will use this single landmark after its coordinates are confirmed.
Groceries & food pantries
Pound Food Bank
Free food assistance
Food-pantry listing in downtown Pound. A directory lists Thursday distribution from 9:30–11:30 a.m.; confirm the location, schedule and eligibility before traveling.
Where: 8033 Main St, Pound, VA 24279
Call: 276-275-0455
Listing status: Directory-verified; service not confirmed directly
Food Bank of Wise County — Norton
Free food assistance
Regional pantry contact listed in Wise County's 2024 Local Services Guide. Call to confirm current distribution arrangements.
Where: 5341 Esserville Rd, Norton, VA 24273
Call: 276-679-3633
Listing status: Historic directory listing; reconfirm
First Baptist Church — St. Paul
Food assistance
Wise County's 2024 guide lists Tuesday food distribution; availability and USDA requirements may have changed. Call before traveling.
Where: 3103 Deacon St, St. Paul, VA 24283
Call: 276-767-9440
Listing status: Historic directory listing; reconfirm
Meals with a Mission
Community food support
Local food distribution contact. Call to confirm which food, meals and seasonal services are currently available, their times, and any requirements.
Where: 14 E 11th St N, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Call: 276-523-1288
Listing status: Public business listing; confirm distribution
Feeding Southwest Virginia — Hunger & Help Line
Phone, text and live locator
Regional resource coordinator and regularly maintained food pantry and mobile-food map. Text 276-274-9131 or call Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. to locate current distributions.
Call: 540-299-0004
Listing status: Official live locator
Hot meals & meal delivery
Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC)
Eligible older adults
Offers qualifying older homebound residents meal delivery and senior community meal sites in the region. Call for an assessment, service area, and meal-site arrangements; not a general walk-in soup kitchen.
Where: 1501 Third Ave E, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Call: 276-523-4202
Listing status: Official organization source
Lonesome Pine Mutual Aid — community meal
Community hot meals (schedule subject to confirmation
The October 18, 2026 event listing advertised a hot community meal, groceries and hygiene items from 1–3 p.m. on the third Sunday. The next event date is NOT confirmed; check current event details before going.
Where: 21 E 5th St N, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Listing status: Recent past event; next distribution unconfirmed
Clothing, blankets & essentials
Salvation Army Wise County Service Unit & Family Store
Assistance and family store
Ask about seasonal clothing, coat or blanket availability, emergency help, and referrals. The official service-unit directory identifies this Wise location; assistance depends on eligibility and stock.
Where: 109 Glade St, Wise, VA 24293
Call: 276-321-7436
Listing status: Official contact verified; availability by phone
Early Bird Thrift and Books
Low-cost retail — not free
Local secondhand clothing and books. This is a low-cost thrift shop, not a verified free-clothing program; call to ask about current stock and pricing.
Where: 10527 Indian Creek Rd, Pound, VA 24279
Call: 276-219-8684
Listing status: Business listing; stock changes
Heat, utilities & winter safety
Wise County Department of Social Services
Income-based assistance
Apply for Virginia Fuel Assistance and ask about Crisis Assistance for heating emergencies. Fuel applications run October 13–November 13, 2026; the winter crisis-equipment window begins November 1. Eligibility applies.
Where: 1000 Sykes Blvd, Wise, VA 24293
Call: 276-328-8056
Listing status: Official program reference
Appalachian Community Action & Development (AppCAA)
Weatherization and referrals
Serves Wise County with weatherization and possible utility/repair assistance. Ask about eligibility for an occupied dwelling before requesting installation work.
Where: 175 Military Ln, Gate City, VA 24251
Call: 276-452-2441
Listing status: Official organization source
Grace House on the Mountain — Outreach Program
Outreach, repairs and essential-needs assistance
Diocesan ministry supporting needs such as utility bills, medicine, clothing drives and small home safety or repair projects in Wise and nearby counties. Contact staff to request eligibility guidance; support and funding vary.
Where: 5100 Pewter Dr, St. Paul, VA 24283
Call: 276-395-6588
Listing status: Official ministry source; assistance by application
Family crisis, shelter & victim support
Family Crisis Support Services, Inc. (FCSS)
24/7 crisis advocacy, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention & practical assistance
Southwest Virginia nonprofit serving people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness and other crises. Services include emergency and transitional shelter, advocacy, rapid rehousing and eviction prevention, case management, transportation, job-search support, utility assistance, and basic-needs help. Availability and eligibility vary by program.
Main office: 276-679-7240 · 24/7 crisis hotline: 1-800-572-2278
Where: 5668 Freedom Boulevard, Norton, VA 24273
Rent / utility screening: FCSS lists 276-325-0471 for Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot screening. Its Neighbor to Neighbor program may also help qualifying Appalachian Power or Old Dominion Power customers when funding is available.
Verified: October 22, 2026 · Official FCSS website and Virginia DHCD program listing. Pound and Wise County are within the listed service area for applicable housing/utility programs.
Emergency shelter & warming
J. W. Adams Combined School — designated emergency shelter
Only during announced activation
Wise County lists this location as a designated emergency shelter. It is NOT necessarily open. Call Wise County Dispatch to confirm official activation before going.
Where: 10824 Orby Cantrell Hwy, Pound, VA 24279
Call: 276-328-3756
Listing status: Designated only; NOT confirmed open
All services & referrals
211 Virginia
Live resource lookup
Free statewide resource referral service for food, clothing, utility help, housing and other needs. During the current pilot, live assistance is Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET; the online directory and automated assistance remain available 24/7. Confirm arrangements with the provider.
Call: 211
Listing status: Official live referral service
No entries match this search. Try another keyword or contact 211 Virginia.
Veteran housing & homelessness support
Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas — Virginia SSVF
Veteran housing stability, prevention and rapid re-housing
VA-funded Supportive Services for Veteran Families serving Wise County and other Southwest Virginia localities. Eligibility includes a qualifying Veteran household, income limits and an eligible housing-status category. Services can include case management, transportation assistance, employment-resource assistance and housing stabilization.
Contact: Scott Pitts, Sr. Director of Housing Services, Virginia — 703-679-0982
Verified: 2026-10-21 · Official provider page. FPR status: informational referral only; no FPR partnership or commitment is claimed.
VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
24/7 Veteran homelessness referral
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness can contact the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans for confidential connection to nearby VA and community assistance.
Call: 877-424-3838
Verified: 2026-10-21 · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Jobs, training & workforce support
Virginia Career Works — Wise
Job search, training and support connections
The Wise affiliate center serves job seekers with job-search computers, resume help, skills assessments and connections to training and supportive services. Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board also provides employer services and workforce-training resources.
Where: 251 Ridgeview Road SW, Wise, VA 24293
Call: 276-325-7314 · Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Verified: 2026-10-21 · Official SWVA Workforce Development Board source.
SERCAP Water/Wastewater Operator & Stormwater Training
Water-sector career pathway
Online, self-paced training with coaching, apprenticeship coordination, placement support and preparation for state certification. SERCAP states that participants can receive supplies and a laptop and that the state exam fee is covered after program requirements are met.
Verified: 2026-10-21 · Official SERCAP source.
Water, grants & community funding
SERCAP — Rural Water/Wastewater Technical Assistance
Free/low-cost technical assistance and funding-navigation support
SERCAP assists rural communities, utilities, public service authorities and planning district commissions with water/wastewater planning, compliance, rate studies, vulnerability assessments, emergency-response planning, GIS/GPS mapping and USDA/SRF grant and loan application assistance.
Contact: Charysse Beard — 540-345-1184 ext. 134
Verified: 2026-10-21 · Official SERCAP source. FPR status: informational resource; no FPR partnership or commitment is claimed.
SERCAP Facilities Development Grants
Virginia community water/wastewater project grants
SERCAP currently describes Virginia-only Facilities Development grants for eligible community water/wastewater entities, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to $200,000+ for eligible planning, engineering, meters, lines, emergency generators and related project costs. Eligibility and available funding must be confirmed directly.
Call: 540-345-1184 ext. 133
Verified: 2026-10-21 · Official SERCAP source.
USDA FY2027 Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grant
Federal grant — qualified nonprofit technical-assistance providers
Deadline: December 31, 2026. USDA lists $35 million in estimated program funding and about 40 expected awards. Eligible leads are qualified private 501(c)(3) nonprofits, other than institutions of higher education, with demonstrated regional water/wastewater technical-assistance capacity. Public bodies, individuals and private businesses are ineligible as lead applicants. Capital construction is not an eligible use.
Verified: 2026-10-21 · Grants.gov TAT-FY27. FPR status: opportunity information only; no application, sponsor or partner commitment is claimed.
GO Virginia Region One
Regional economic-development and workforce funding
Region One covers Wise County and other Southwest Virginia localities. The current site lists a Per Capita application deadline of November 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Region One requires a preliminary application at least 30 days before the application deadline, regional collaboration involving at least two localities, alignment with targeted sectors, and a 2:1 match structure. New concepts should contact the support organization before assuming this round remains accessible.
Contact: Robyn Lee — [email protected] · 276-254-2396
Verified: 2026-10-21 · GO Virginia Region One / UVA Wise. FPR status: prospective funding resource only; no commitment or authorization is claimed.
LENOWISCO Planning District Commission
Regional planning, infrastructure and grant-management resource
LENOWISCO serves Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton and describes current work in community development, economic development, transportation, public-utility infrastructure, grant writing and grant management.
Call: 276-431-2206 · Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Verified: 2026-10-21 · Official LENOWISCO source. FPR status: plausible regional resource only; authorization, sponsorship and partnership status are unresolved and must not be assumed.
More ways to find timely help
Use 211 Virginia’s live directory for clothing, food, shelter and heat assistance. For current food distributions use Feeding Southwest Virginia’s live map or call 540-299-0004.
For 2026–27 heating help, apply through Virginia CommonHelp. Fuel Assistance closes November 13, 2026. Crisis Assistance for heating equipment can begin November 1 if you meet the program’s emergency conditions.
Know about a missing or changed resource?
Use the FPR contact page to submit the organization’s public phone, street address, assistance type and a source link. We verify changes before publishing and do not publish private recipient details. A listed provider is not necessarily affiliated with FPR.
How current is this information?
Each verified listing carries a review date. FPR uses visible freshness badges to help you judge whether to call ahead before relying on a listing.
Review due
Older listing — confirm first
Verification date unavailable
Directory source review: 2026-10-21. This is a referral guide, not a guarantee of service. Automated link checks do not verify actual hours or available supplies.