Richmond County School System assisting in serving hot meals to first responders, emergency works, lineman, and families after Hurricane Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Several organizations are helping serve the community after the damage from Hurricane Helene. One of them is the Richmond County School System.
The Richmond County school system is serving hot meals to first responders, emergency workers, and linemen at Wheeless Road Elementary.
"We're trying to make sure that we prepare nice hot, hardy meals that are going to stick with them and everything, and then some little niceties on the side," said Cathy Johnson, the Director of Nutrition Services for Richmond County School System. "Like making sure we have coffee and making sure we have iced tea. Those seem to boost morale a little bit."
The school system and nutrition services team knew they wanted to give back, and their first thought was the first responders since they have been working tirelessly. They serve breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. For now, they plan to continue this until Sunday, October 12th.
"We want them to come in here, sit down for a few minutes, rest, relax, and enjoy the cool air. And lets us replenish one of those most basic needs," said Johnson.
Richmond County Schools are not starting until October 16th, so they want to ensure families have food. They chose McBean, Hepzibah, Hornsby Elementary schools, and Glen Hills Middle School as locations to serve hot meals.
"We were very mindful and looking out at the resources that are going on throughout the community and trying to open up schools where maybe some of those other resources aren't around," said Johnson.
The first responders I spoke to were thankful for a place to grab food, and everyone was appreciative.
"Everybody Is friendly. You know, at a time like this, everybody has to be friendly, stay patient, and stay calm. We're all going to get through it," said Tracy Burns, Firefighter Crew. "So, I'm thankful for everybody for being respectful; we're just going to keep doing what we are doing."
The meals for parents and students will start Monday, October 7th, and go until Friday from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.
