Augusta Red Cross volunteers spearhead tropical storm relief efforts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Golden Harvest Food Bank and the local American Red Cross chapter are ramping up efforts to support communities affected by Tropical Storm Debby.

The Augusta-based East Central Georgia Chapter of the Red Cross is the organization’s staging area for the Georgia and South Carolina disaster response, Executive Director Landreth-Everitt said.

About 25 local volunteers are here helping on this disaster response with all kinds of logistics, including loading and unloading trailers full of supplies, serving as feet on the ground for anything needed here, and general support for the entire operation.

They’ve been preparing all week. 

“Right now, we are staging supplies all across the southeast, that includes Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, to make sure that our impacted communities have the resources and help that they need,” said Katie Zwerk, communications director for American Red Cross of Georgia. 

They’re among more than 565 trained Red Cross volunteers from across the country working to provide safe shelter, meals and comfort.

Among those partners is the Augusta-based Golden Harvest Food Bank, whose new produce rescue center is being used to store and sort food, water, and other support items to aid residents in South Carolina and Georgia.

The Red Cross is set up at Golden Harvest with meals, diapers, water and more. 

Amy Breitmann, Golden Harvest president and CEO, said: “We have this facility, this produce rescue center, that was scheduled to open next week, and when this disaster happened, we knew that we needed to step up and offer it as a resource to the community.” 

And they’re all ready to go anywhere at any time. 

Zwerk said: “We just don’t know the impact. Flooding is a major, major concern. Everyone thinks about just, you know, when a hurricane makes landfall that this is a rain event that’s going to impact so many people, and the big thing for us, too is stressing the importance of having a safe place to go.” 

The Red Cross has eight shelters open across the state. 

Officials say our local parks and rec facilities will be another option for shelter too. 

“One of the things I’m most grateful for in our community is the overwhelming support we receive from our partners in Augusta,” said Landreth-Everitt. “Golden Harvest Food Bank’s partnership will help the Red Cross further serve residents impacted by this storm.”

AT THE SALVATION ARMY:

• The Salvation Army of Augusta said Tuesday that everyone who stayed at the homeless shelter Monday night was also staying Tuesday. The shelter hadn’t seen any evacuees.

Both organizations are closely monitoring the situation and considering the potential impact on upcoming events, including the grand opening event of the produce rescue center next week. The priority remains on providing immediate relief to those in need.

“In times of crisis, our community’s resilience shines through. By working together, we can ensure that those affected by Hurricane Debby receive the essential support they need,” said Amy Breitmann, president and CEO of Golden Harvest.

How to help

• Golden Harvest Food Bank: To contribute to Golden Harvest Food Bank, visit goldenharvest.org Every dollar helps provide vital assistance to both local neighbors and those seeking shelter in our community.
• The American Red Cross: Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text DEBBY to 90999 to donate.

How to get help

• Visit //goldenharvest.org/find-help
• Visit RedCross.org, download the Red Cross Emergency App, or call 211 for local support from the United Way of the CSRA or South Carolina.

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