AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County Schools have been essential in feeding first responders since Hurricane Helene, but now they’re serving the community as a whole.

At Wheeless Road Elementary School, Richmond County school nutrition workers have been working ever since the storm rolled through, serving first responders.

On Monday at Glenn Hills Middle School, instead of picking up students, drivers were picking up food.

“I know we’ve served over 700 hundred at last check at Glenn Hills Middle, and I believe the other ones were up over 500 and everything, and that’s not even the end of the day,” said Cathy Johnson, Director of Nutrition Services at Richmond County Schools.

The need can feel a bit overwhelming, but Johnson says Richmond County school nutrition workers are here to help.

“It does my heart good because I know how many of our kids we’re not getting to feed that we usually get to feed on a daily basis,” said Johnson. “We’re worried about whether students are getting fed because not every family has that ability to provide a breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, and so knowing our kids have been out, that wears on our hearts.”

Some school nutrition workers still have trees on their own homes. Some still have no power, but they’re happy to serve.

Employees said they have found that it’s better to give than to receive and that everyone in the community has been very appreciative.

They’re expecting even longer lines as the word spreads and the weeks go on.

Appreciative, which is why they’re expecting this line to be even longer as the word spreads and as the week goes on.

They’re expecting even longer lines as the word spreads and the weeks go on.

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