AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Small Business Saturday is in full swing, and shoppers are flocking to local stores to score big on hometown deals.

Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010. The U.S. Small Business Administration began sponsoring the event in 2011.

It’s a day for people to shop at the local businesses in their community.

Some small businesses in downtown Augusta say this event helps drive sales.

“We do have a great community, people that we see every week or sometimes every other day, and get to be friends. And yeah, it’s really awesome. Like that’s definitely a big plus to being here and having a brick-and-mortar shop is face-to-face communication. You don’t get that with online,” said Evan Grantski, the owner of Grantski Records.

You still have time to stop by local businesses in the community, but remember, you can always find them year-round.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than 700 people enjoyed a free Thanksgiving meal in the comfort of their own homes Thursday.

The Vineyard Church of Augusta delivered 730 hot meals to people in local public housing communities as part of their “Dinner of Love” program.

The initiative targets those who are sick and shut-in and the elderly.

Pastor Mary Margarey Leroy said the church works with the Augusta Housing Authority to identify people in need.

“Oh my goodness it’s why we breath it’s our whole reason of why we exist is to serve others you know we’re a faith-based organization we’re a church so you know Jesus is our model and he said ‘I came to serve and not to be served’ and that is that’s our life blood,” Leroy said.

The church also distributed 275 Thanksgiving meal kits last Saturday.

Vineyard Church of Augusta operates a food pantry that is open Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Black Friday is here, and customers are ready to shop some big sales.

We visited several big stores across the Augusta area, where large groups of people were lining up to shop sales.

Santa even made an appearance at Cabela’s in Augusta.

How to stay safe while shopping

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says it’s going to have deputies all over the county and around businesses.

But they are urging you to make sure you, your car and your items are all secure and away from potential dangers.

“Make sure if you’re going in, you’re buying packages, you’ve got bags. I would think about trying to get these packages and these items home as soon as possible. I wouldn’t leave them in the trunk of my vehicle. I definitely wouldn’t leave them in plain view inside my vehicle,” said Col. Bo Johnson with the sheriff’s office.

Johnson says for those who wear purses or other bags, make sure they’re in front of you at all times, not just on your shoulder.

Also remember to be aware of your surroundings when walking to and from a store and when on the roads.

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