Aiken Community Rallies Together After Tropical Storm Helene
Aiken, a town known for its tight-knit community, is coming together in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, which recently caused significant disruptions across much of South Carolina. With sunny skies and a high of 74°F anticipated today, the warmth seems to mirror the community spirit that is surging through its residents. As recovery efforts roll on, local organizations are focused on addressing the increased demand for food assistance.
Volunteers Making a Difference
At the ACTS food pantry, dedicated volunteers like Bill Dulworth, Art Wagner, Neva Bassett, and Larry Mitchell are hard at work preparing groceries for those in need. On October 8, they were seen sorting through donations, ensuring that precious resources get into the hands of community members who are relying on them more than ever.
According to Suzanne Jackson, the executive director of ACTS, the aftermath of Helene has led to a noticeable spike in requests for food and clothing assistance. “We have definitely seen an uptick in requests for food assistance and for clothing, so that is our priority right now,” she emphasized. The storm caused power outages that led to the loss of refrigerated food, making the situation even more critical.
Challenges but Hope Ahead
Despite the hurdles, Jackson mentioned that efficient packing saved much of the frozen food. “We’re taking appointments and walk-ins during the Helene relief efforts, but the other concern is having enough food inventory to provide for our eight food distributions,” she explained, referring to the various distribution points spread across Aiken, Graniteville, Jackson, Wagener, Ridge Spring, and more.
Additionally, the Golden Harvest Food Bank is currently unable to distribute food to its partner organizations, which means ACTS has been scrambling to secure food from alternative sources. “We serve over 2,000 individuals through both the food pantry and our food distributions, and we know that the need is going to be greater this month because of Helene,” Jackson noted with concerns. However, she also shared some positive news: “We did not lose our meat supply, but that meat supply is now depleted. We’re thrilled about a big donation coming from Titan Farms, who is passing on their extra provisions from their migrant workers. We really appreciate their support.”
Free Meals and Other Community Efforts
In Aiken, community members can find free prepared meals every day. The Salvation Army shelter on Park Avenue is a reliable spot where carry-out meals are distributed daily from noon to 1 p.m. Other locations offering meals include Christ Central Mission, River of Life Church, St. John’s Methodist Church, and St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church throughout the week.
Community Ministry of North Augusta has faced similar challenges to ACTS. Its executive director, Tammy Butler, shared how their facility opened its doors for drive-through pantry service on October 2, and within two days, they were able to distribute 114 bags of groceries. “We had no perishables to give out because we had to throw it all away due to the storm damage,” she said, assessing the loss as between $1,200 and $1,500. Even as of October 8, CMONA still faced problems with telephone and internet service and was in dire need of food options.
A Call to Action
Other food pantries in Aiken County, such as Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center, Mt. Salem Outreach, St. Vincent de Paul, HOPE Ministries, and Second Baptist Church, are also working hard to replenish their supplies to continue supporting their communities.
As Aiken continues to face the aftermath of the storm, the resilient community is showcasing its strength through volunteer efforts, food drives, and support networks. It’s a beautiful reminder that in times of crisis, help is never far away. With kindness and determination, Aiken is weathering the storm together—one meal at a time.
