Covenant Presbyterian Church, located at 3131 Walton Way, is holding a food pantry this week, and is one of several faith-based organizations that has begun offering much-needed relief resources to locals affected by Hurricane Helene.
Judy Grieve, one of Covenant Presbyterian’s lay leaders, said that around four or five families stopped by the pantry on Thursday.
“We feel sad that we’re in this position, ‘cause it’s a mess,” said Grieve. “But we are glad that we can open the door out to the street and say ‘come in and have what we have.’”
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The food and water that are available at Covenant were donations that the church initially began collecting for the Gap Ministries food pantry, which is open weekly on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
After Helene hit, the church leaders decided they could give these donations out to the community.
“It’s very hard for people who are used to providing for themselves…it’s a first for some,” noted Grieve.
Covenant’s pantry will continue to operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until at least Saturday, but its final day is tentative. “It’s fluid right now…If the demand tapers off, then we’ll close it,” said Rev. Andy Cooke who co-pastors with his wife Rev. Katelyn Cooke.
Grieve said that the church aims to provide a silver lining to those in need.
“I think right now, when you look around and see disaster, you need to know somewhere there’s hope,” said Grieve.
Below is a breakdown of resources being offered by churches in the area.
MORE: Storm update: Later curfew, power outages continue
Tree removal and clean up
Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez is offering tree and debris cleanup assistance. The church asks residents to stop by its location at 3917 Washington Road on Thursday, Oct, 3 to Saturday, Oct. 5 from noon to 6 p.m. to complete necessary paperwork with Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief. Call (573) 418-7793 if you cannot stop by.
Charging devices
Saint’s Sanctuary First Haitian Church of Augusta is welcoming the community daily to charge their devices, cool off and eat a meal. Their address is 3030 Milledgeville Road in Augusta.
Baby items, pet food and other supplies
St. Mark Methodist Church, at 2367 Washington Road, will be distributing relief supplies on Friday, Oct. 4, and will be hosting a free cookout for lunch. Supplies are being provided by First Methodist Church of Greensboro-Lake Oconee, and the supplies that are anticipated include pet food, cleaning supplies, baby items, boxed foods, drinks, toiletries and water. This will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Non-perishable food items
Mosaic Church in Evans will be offering non-perishable food and supplies on Friday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Water and showers
First Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Augusta is allowing the community to drink water and fill up water jugs from noon – 3 p.m. until Friday. Furthermore, visitors will be able charge their devices.
Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez will open its Christian Life Center from Thursday, Oct. 3 to Saturday, Oct. 5 between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. for showers and to charge devices. Those wishing to shower should bring their own toiletries and towels. The Christian Life Center is located at 917 Roberts Road, Martinez.
