Garden City Rises Up Post-Hurricane Helene
In the bustling town of Garden City, community resilience shines bright as residents rally together following the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene. The winds and isolated tornadoes that swept through the Augusta area in late September left many without power, including local nonprofit Garden City Rescue Mission, which stepped up to provide much-needed relief for those affected.
Meals Served and Support Offered
Garden City Rescue Mission, along with the dedicated Life Development Center, rose to the occasion by distributing nearly 1,000 meals within the first week after the storm. The mission, located at 828 Fenwick St., remained a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Executive Director Patrick Feistel shared, “We never lost power at the Mission, because I think we’re right next to the substation. Everybody else lost power, it seems like, but the Mission, so we never shut down. We kept on truckin’!”
Community Contributions
The success of feeding the community didn’t happen by chance. Generous donations from various local restaurants fueled the mission’s efforts, allowing staff and volunteers to provide warm meals along with essentials like sleeping bags, clothing, and medical supplies. Patrick emphasized, “We want to thank everyone who has donated to this, and we pray it will meet some basic needs and bring the hope of Christ and a little comfort to those in need.”
Ongoing Support for the Displaced
As Hurricane Helene’s aftermath continued to unfold, the mission operated round the clock, assisting an average of 60 individuals daily. Many of these were families displaced from their homes in Georgia and North Carolina. “There’s a lot of folks that were displaced from different parts of Georgia and North Carolina, coming down here and getting where they could land,” Feistel noted. The mission even began making trips to local motels to distribute meals to those who found temporary housing there.
A Growing Need for Housing Resources
The challenges of finding affordable housing in the area have grown over the years, exacerbated further by the pandemic. “There’s really not enough housing to go around for everybody to get affordable housing,” Feistel explained. “But a lot of these fellows, if they can save up a little money, they might get in a motel for a little bit.” This reality has inspired the mission to expand its outreach through a new initiative referred to as the “motel ministry,” aimed at assisting those running to the Lord, not away from Him.
Renovations and Future Plans
In addition to their outreach efforts, the Garden City Rescue Mission is currently undergoing renovations after officially purchasing their facility earlier this year. The staff recently began repainting the rustic brick exterior a bright white, and plans are underway to erect an open-air chapel in the location of an old soup kitchen adjacent to the shelter.
Delay of Fundraising Event
Originally, the mission had planned a major fundraising “Share-a-thon” event on October 3rd. However, due to the severe impact of Hurricane Helene on the community, the event has been postponed until December. “There was just no way, when people were hurting so much, that we were going to ask people for money,” Feistel stressed. “So we’re postponing it until sometime before Christmas.”
As the community comes together, the spark of hope continues to glow bright in Garden City. The unwavering dedication shown by organizations working high and low provides reassurance that when times are tough, kindness and support can light the way back home.
