Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., talks with people affected ted by Hurricane Helene before Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives, in Augusta, Ga., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Since Hurricane Helene’s devastating appearance in Georgia last week, thousands of state residents are trying to pick up the pieces and mitigate its effects on their homes, incomes and supplies.
Throughout the metro Atlanta area, various businesses, churches and organizations have provided new opportunities to donate and give back to Peach State residents in need.
The Ameris Bank Amphitheatre will be collecting donations for Helene victims outside of their entrance gates from Oct. 4 to Oct. 6. Suggested items include non-perishable food and pop-top canned food, bottled water, diapers, hygiene products, flashlights, blankets and hand sanitizer.
Food Security for America are currently asking for financial donations that will go towards assisting low-income families within the Augusta area.
On their website, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security has offered points of distribution for essential items to help victims throughout the state. Current locations are listed below.
County
Locations
Atkinson
Willacoochee City Hall, 33 Fleetwood Ave. West, Willacoochee, GA
Atkinson Co. Fire Station, 33 Austin Ave. West, Pearson, GA
Ben Hill
Ben Hill County Health Dept., 251 Appomattox Rd., Fitzgerald, GA 31750
Berrien
800 Tifton Rd., Nashville, GA 31639
Brooks
400 E. Courtland Avenue, Quitman, GA 31643
178 Second Street, Morven, GA 31638
Candler
555 W. Lytell St., Metter, GA 30439
Echols
Community Center, 148 Church of God St., Statenville, GA 31648
Evans
613 W. Main Street, GA
Jeff Davis
31 Pat Dixon Rd, Hazlehurst, GA
Jefferson
1200 School Street, Louisville, GA 30434
101 Griffin St., Wrens, GA 30833
138 Church St., Wadley, GA 30477
Lanier
28 South Valdosta Hwy, Lakeland, GA 31635
Laurens
1794 Hwy 117, Rentz, GA 31075
930 East Hwy 80, East Dublin, GA
Lowndes
First Baptist Church Lake Park, 601 W. Marion Ave, Lake Park, GA 31636
Five Points, 3103 N. Ashley St., Valdosta, GA 31602
Flying Tiger Storage, 4036 Bemiss Rd., Valdosta, GA 31605
Hahira Train Depot, 220 W. Main Street, Hahira, GA 316302
Lowndes County Civic Center, 2102 E. Hill Ave., Valdosta, GA 31601
McDuffie
229 Knox River Rd., Thomson, GA 30824
Montgomery
701C Dobbins St Mount Vernon, Georgia 30445
Richmond
4335 Windsor Spring Rd., Hephzibah, GA 30815
1631 Gordon Hwy, Augusta, GA 30906
535 Telfair St., Augusta, GA 30901
Screven
Screven County Elementary School, 1333 Frontage Rd. East, Sylvania, GA 30467
Telfair
181 East Oak St, McRae-Helena, GA 31055
65 Main St Lumber City GA, 31549
Toombs
First Baptist Church, 107 E Second Street, Vidalia, GA 30474
Southeastern Technical College, 3001 East 1st Street, Vidalia, GA 30474
Treutlen
4145 Fowler St., Soperton, GA
Ware
Ware County Fire Station, 3411 Harris Rd., Waycross, GA 31503
Warren
169 SR-80, Warrenton, GA 30828
Wheeler
16 West 4th Ave., Alamo, GA 30411
The Georgia Red Cross is asking for online donations to Georgia residents in need, which will go towards helping the organization in managing shelters and providing essential resources.
“Across the Southeast, hundreds of people are still reported missing,” said a release on the Red Cross website. “Entire communities were destroyed by fast-moving water and tens of thousands of homes have been affected. People need shelter, water, food and health care.”
Kingswood United Methodist Church in Dunwoody is accepting donations for critical supplies to be sent Friday to the residents of McDuffie County, located within the central eastern border of the state. The initiative is in partnership with New Thomson United Methodist Church in Thomson, Georgia.
“Augusta’s smaller neighbor to the west, McDuffie County, is also hurting and receiving far less support than greater Augusta,” said Kingswood on the church’s website.
Critical items listed on the church’s website include water, peanut butter, bread, canned fruit, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, applesauce and Ensure. The supplies will delivered to New Thomson on Friday, Oct. 4.
Located in Avondale Estates, the Little Tree Art Studios is collecting goods up until Oct. 4 for that will benefit disaster victims statewide.
Desired supplies include personal items such as baby formula, washboards and toilet paper, as well as clean up supplies such as brooms, safety goggles and trash bags.
Mission Georgia have set forth a fundraiser for Helene victims through their website.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, your Georgia neighbors are in need of friends to help their churches and communities recover while sharing the hope of Christ,” said Mission’s website.
The organization is offering 100% of the donations that they receive to Mission Georgia, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief and other partners.
Salvation Army locations statewide are accepting donations that will help benefit those affected by Helene in Georgia and other states where the hurricane struck.
“Your donation will fund immediate emergency assistance, food and water supplies, emotional and spiritual support, and long-term recovery services for survivors,” read a message on the organization’s website.
Serv International is currently working alongside selected churches and organizations in South Georgia affected by the natural disaster.
“Power in South Georgia has widespread outages, and many locations are not expected to have power for 10 days or more,” said the organization on their website. “Join us in donating to this situation.”
Monetary gifts will go towards “purchasing food and supplies for distribution.” Donations for shelf stable food items are available to be dropped off at Serv’s Canton offices.
