Answering the Call, Together

When the shutdown created uncertainty around essential supports for millions of Americans, one message echoed across the nation: “Go to your local food bank for help.”

From hurricanes to the pandemic, our team has learned how to respond quickly when crisis hits. This time was no different. Within days of the announcement, food orders were doubled, an emergency distribution plan was activated, and fourteen truckloads of food were routed to our warehouses in Augusta and Aiken. Partner fees were lifted to ensure our hunger relief network could move food freely to families in need.

Views on our Find Help page surged 600 percent in a single week. Project DASH delivery requests, in partnership with United Way of the CSRA and DoorDash, increased by 74% as homebound neighbors sought help. Through it all, staff, volunteers, and hunger relief partners worked side by side to keep food flowing into communities across our 24-county service area.

In times of crisis, our community always rises. The Richmond County Commission launched a food and funds drive. Goodwill Industries collected donations across the CSRA. Dozens of schools, churches, and businesses stepped forward, reminding us that when we act together, no one faces hunger alone.

The numbers show the scale of need: over 100,000 households impacted, 20 million dollars in lost grocery spending, a gap no single organization can fill alone. But what matters most is how we respond. Every volunteer shift, every donation, and every box packed represents our shared belief that compassion is stronger than crisis.

Whether it is a hurricane, a pandemic, or a government shutdown, Golden Harvest will always be here. Ready to serve, ready to lead, and ready to feed our neighbors through every challenge.