Second Harvest readies hurricane relief packs with aid from CEMA and Gulfstream

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -In order to prepare for the peak of hurricane season, Chatham County’s Second Harvest teamed up with Gulfstream and Chatham Emergency Management Agency to pack thousands of hurricane relief boxes filled with food.

The hands-on volunteer event was focused on hurricane preparedness, inspired by the impacts last year from Hurricane Helene.

“Last year during the hurricane, we were able to respond but it took us a couple of days to get boxes of food in that we could get out to people in drive-thrus, so this year we wanted to plan to make sure we were able to respond immediately if the need was there,” said executive director for Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Mary Jane Crouch.

Putting together an event like this needs not just people, but people who feel the importance of helping the region, like CEMA director Dennis Jones, who got in on the packaging action during the event.

“It’s all about passion,” Jones said. “It’s having that level of service, being able to love your fellow human and not only in Chatham county but throughout the region.”

“Gulfstream employees dedicated thousands of hours last year and are continuing to dedicate volunteer hours in their community this year as well,” said Gulfstream Public Affairs State Director Kyle Redner.

The volunteers today set out to pack six thousand boxes of hurricane relief kits. According to Crouch, the helpers today are doing more than just aiding those who will potentially receive the kits.

“Studies show that volunteering truly makes you live longer, it makes you have a better outlook on life, you’re more positive so to be able to have people here that are volunteering, we know that we’re not only gonna help the community but we’re helping them,” Crouch said.

Today’s efforts also include providing generators for other food shelters and nonprofits that would fall victim to food spoiling due to any potential power outages, which keeps the kits available even during the harshest of storms.

For those looking to donate to the Second Harvest, click here.