Augusta, GA
Local food banks see surge in demand as federal assistance remains uncertain
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local food banks report doubling and tripling numbers as new faces seek help for the first time.
The Augusta Dream Center served 554 families in one day, according to Executive Director Kellie Newman.
“We see our numbers doubling and tripling every day,” said Hallie Kohan, assistant director at Augusta Dream Center.
Newman said the situation feels like a crisis that has caught organizations off guard.
“This feels like a crisis. This is a crisis that’s happening and it’s kind of just snuck up on us,” Newman said. “I don’t think we realized how the government shutdown, how it was gonna have this domino effect.”
Family Promise of Augusta launched an emergency food drive to address growing need.
“We have government workers who aren’t receiving paychecks, therefore, you know, they’re facing food insecurities and they’re just as important as it is for our unhoused community right now,” said Christina Williams, an intern at Family Promise of Augusta who came up with the food drive idea.
Executive Director Jennifer Ferguson said donations can be made at Family Promise on Wheeler Road or at Dave and Busters. The organization plans to partner with other companies for additional donation sites.
The Augusta Dream Center will be open on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for those needing groceries. They will also serve Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again on Sunday.
“We are trying to break barriers down for you and help feed your family. We’re not trying to add any barriers in your life,” Kohan said.
Newman said they expect the need to continue to grow and are working with Golden Harvest food bank and other agencies to find solutions.
“Some people are just really at the mercy of unfortunate circumstances that they have no control over,” Newman said.
Family Promise says you can go online to donate money, or you can go to the location on Wheeler Road to donate as well.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
MR. EDDIE JAMES RAMSEY, age 81, of Dearing, GA passed on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the PruittHealth-Augusta Hills in Augusta, GA. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. Family members and friends may call at the funeral home. THOMSON FUNERAL SYSTEM, Thomson, GA oversees all arrangements.
MR. EDDIE JAMES RAMSEY, age 81, of Dearing, GA passed on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the PruittHealth-Augusta Hills in Augusta, GA. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. Family members and friends may call at the funeral home. THOMSON FUNERAL SYSTEM, Thomson, GA oversees all arrangements.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dry weather returns to the CSRA for the week ahead with temperatures warming up each day.
After a foggy start Sunday, we should see at least a few breaks in the clouds with highs near average in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Winds will be light from the southeast.
Sunday night looks partly cloudy and cool with overnight lows near 40 degrees. Wind will be calm.
Monday will be a partly sunny and mild day with highs in the middle 60s. Wind will be southwest at 2 to 6 mph.
Tuesday through Thursday…Partly sunny each day and partly cloudy night. Highs will be near 70 Tuesday, warming into the lower to middle 70s Wednesday and Thursday.
Clouds increase a bit Friday, and there could be a shower or two late in the day. Highs Friday will be in the lower to middle 70s.
Keep a close eye on the forecast if you have outdoor plans next weekend, because a frontal system moves in with a decent chance of rain Friday night into Saturday. Highs will be a touch cooler Saturday in the middle 60s.
Keep it here for regular updates and be sure to Download the WRDW First Alert Weather App to have the latest information in the palm of your hand whenever and wherever you need it.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Businesses downtown are reflecting on the past and setting new goals as the new year has arrived.
2025 was a busy year for many businesses on Broad Street, as they had to contend with construction, as well as a new sheriff seeking to make the streets safer.
Art on Broad spoke about what they’re looking forward to this year.
“We are just looking forward to putting all of the madness of the holidays behind us and continuing to see our everyday regular patrons, and then the new customers that come in, because they’re here for a convention or maybe they’re passing through on a road trip. And I feel confident that we’ll continue to see good business throughout the year,” said Catherine Alexander, business manager for Art on Broad.
Coming up at News 12 at 11 p.m., we’ll talk to more businesses about what they are looking forward to in the new year, as well as what worked for them in 2025.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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