Latest News
A Fresh Start: The Produce Rescue Center
After stepping up as a hub for emergency relief during both Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene, the Produce Rescue Center has officially transitioned to its primary purpose: moving more fresh, nutritious produce to neighbors across our 24-county service area. Built with efficiency and community impact in mind, the Center now plays a vital role in our daily operations, storing and distributing truckloads of fruits and vegetables with care and speed. That means more produce on plates, fewer nutrients lost to waste, and stronger support for our 325+ partner agencies working on the frontlines of hunger relief. And [...]
From Amy’s Desk: Fresh Hope, Lasting Impact
Dear Friends, Each day, I’m reminded that hunger isn’t just about food. It’s about dignity, health, and hope. When we opened the Produce Rescue Center, we envisioned a space filled with fresh food and new ways to serve. In its first six months, it supported disaster relief after two hurricanes impacted our region and neighboring communities. Today, it is fulfilling its true purpose by moving fresh produce quickly and safely to neighbors in need. Volunteers are sorting fruits and vegetables, helping children and families access the nutrition they need to thrive. At the same time, we’re seeing more of [...]
Meet our 2025 Volunteer of the Year
When we think of steadfast dedication and a heart for service, we think of Jesse McClam. Jesse first walked through our doors in 2018 as a volunteer and quickly became part of the heartbeat of Golden Harvest. He showed up nearly every day with a warm smile, a can-do spirit, and a work ethic that inspired everyone around him. It didn’t take long for our team to realize Jesse wasn’t just volunteering. He was leading. He officially joined our staff shortly after, serving faithfully at The Master’s Table for five years. From opening the building each morning to supporting [...]
Faith in Action: A Mission Grows in South Augusta
Left to Right: Mary Richardson (Executive Director), Lael Holmes, Nora Wessling, Catherine Faughnan, Denise Gay, Debra Baker (Assistant Director), Cherie Foster, Willie McCrary, Frank Sinclair (Board President). In January, Catholic Social Services made a meaningful move from their long-time home in downtown Augusta to a new location on Georgetown Drive in South Augusta. The decision wasn’t just about a building. It was about following the need. Executive Director Mary Richardson and Assistant Director Deborah Baker shared that the move was guided by both heart and data. Research revealed that South Augusta has over 75 percent more children [...]
Lifting Families Beyond the Storm
Brenda visits her local pantry, Unity Outreach, to pick up food items for herself and her daughter. Brenda, a 75-year-old Trenton resident, has called her neighborhood home for over 50 years. But when Hurricane Helene struck, the life she had built was uprooted in unimaginable ways. The storm left her home with a hole in the roof and a bedroom floor too damaged to walk on, while her daughter’s home next door bore the brunt of Helene’s force. “It destroyed their entire house,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. Brenda’s daughter and two young grandsons, ages [...]
Rising Together After Helene
Volunteers distribute emergency food bags and boxes to their communities in McDuffie and Aiken counties. In such a time as this, as countless families face unimaginable challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Golden Harvest Food Bank offers our deepest sympathy to all who have been impacted. The storm’s devastation has touched thousands across our area, but our commitment to this community is unwavering. We stand beside you, determined to support recovery at every step of the journey. Even before Helene, we were confronting the highest levels of food insecurity our region has seen in 15 years. After [...]