YMCA is working hard to keep families fed after Hurricane Helene

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - “Neighbors helping neighbors” has been the theme since Helene tore through our area more than a week ago.

Organizations continue to come together to serve those in need of food, water and basic necessities.

The Family YMCA of Greater Augusta has had boots on the ground all throughout the CSRA and wants people to know they’re here for you.

Phyllis Hopkins was the first in line to get food at the Thomson YMCA.

“We lost everything in the refrigerator. We threw out all kinds of stuff that we had. I was in awe. I’ve never seen the devastation that a hurricane can produce, never been in one, and I definitely don’t want to be in another one,” said Hopkins.

The Family Y was able to get back up and running quickly after Helene hit the area.

They’re providing food in multiple counties and serve as a location for people to shower and charge devices.

“When we’re out in these communities especially some of our rural communities, they are just thrilled to see the . When you give a meal to a child or family that doesn’t know where the next one is coming from who lost a fridge full and their face lights up, it’s such an amazing feeling,” said Catie McCauley, chief operations officer with Family YMCA of Greater Augusta.

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In partnership with Golden Harvest Food Bank, the Y is transporting shelf-stable food across the CSRA and rural communities.

“Golden Harvest had the food, and the Y had the manpower to take it where it was needed,” said Danny McConnell, president and CEO of the Y.

Volunteers and Senator Jon Ossoff’s team have all stepped up to help.

“It’s one of the things I love about the Y. We employ people that love people and our volunteers love serving and so when we have a need they step in and roll up their sleeves and they left trees on their homes, and don’t have power and they came to serve our community,” said McCauley.

The Y says they’re also seeing a greater need for childcare with some of their locations already full.

Tanesha Sharp, district vice president of Family YMCA of Greater Augusta, said: “To be able to be open and have a safe space for kids to have a familiar place, they’re used to being in school right and coming to the Y during out of school time and so to be able to be open and serve the kids has been most important.”

For Hopkins, she says she’s thankful for all the resources and encourages others to hang in there.

“Take it one day at a time and things will eventually get back to normal, but not as normal as we once ,” said Hopkins.

YMCA vans and mobile café buses have delivered food and cases of water to areas hit hardest by the hurricane.

MORE FROM NEWS 12:

• Food, water and other relief: Where to get it across the CSRA
• Acts of kindness: Help flows in after Hurricane Helene
• Shelters: Where to go if Helene impacted you in the CSRA
• List: School, closures and reopening plans after Helene

The Y is also offering grab-and-go breakfast and lunch to kids at:

• Dorothy Hains Elementary: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Augusta South Family YMCA: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Burke County Family YMCA: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Thomson Family YMCA: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wilson Family YMCA: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Monte Sano Elementary: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Aiken County Family YMCA: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• North Augusta Family YMCA: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Area YMCA locations are also open for the community to take showers, charge devices and cool off.

The following YMCAs are open for and provide critical services for the community:

• Aiken County Family YMCA: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Augusta South Family YMCA: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Barnwell County Family YMCA: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Burke County Family YMCA: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• North Augusta Family YMCA: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thomson Family YMCA: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wilson Family YMCA: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit the Family Y’s Facebook page.

You can the YMCA’s food program and disaster relief efforts by donating to the Emergency Assistance Fund at thefamilyy.org.

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