The Lawrence County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) collaborated with community partners in the health care field to present a virtual Dining with Diabetes Workshop and Educational Drive Thru event. According to Kentucky Health Facts, Lawrence County has a higher rate of diabetes than the state average, with this in mind the Diabetes Drive-Thru and virtual workshop were planned. This event took place over 7 weeks and had a total of 57 participants through the educational drive-thru event and a total of 911 views online through the educational video series. Participants were given information about local resources, educational materials to help understand and plan meals with diabetes (including diabetic-friendly Plate It Up Kentucky Proud recipes and SNAP-Ed materials), and kitchen tools to make diabetic-friendly recipes at home. The drive-thru was not only sponsored by Extension and community partners but also was supported by a grant to support diabetes education.

Data was collected before and after the 7-week workshop/drive-thru. It was found that out of those completing the survey over 40% wanted to have a more formal in-person diabetes support group/educational monthly meeting in the coming months. Almost 30% indicated that they were also interested, but for a virtual option only. The data collected before and after the workshops/drive-thru will be used to plan topics for a monthly diabetes support group/educational meeting in the future.