Only two weeks after Hurricane Michael tore through the Florida panhandle into south Georgia, Southwire’s Project GIFT put boots on the ground to distribute much-needed supplies to those affected by the category 3 hurricane.
Following disaster relief collections in west Georgia, Heflin, Ala., and Bremen, Ind., nineteen employees from various Southwire facilities, including the company’s Douglas, Ga., and Bremen locations, joined forces to transport, sort and distribute three truckloads of collected supplies and a portion of the 10,000 food boxes that Southwire sponsored from Second Harvest of South Georgia, the leading hunger-relief organization in the region. Each box is filled with supplies to feed a family of four for a week.
“We partnered with Second Harvest in south Georgia to plan our distribution efforts, ensuring we reached the areas with the most need,” said Kersha Cartwright, corporate communication specialist for Southwire. “This organization works daily with local, state and national non-profits and was able to connect us with communities in need.”
After unloading and sorting donations at Second Harvest, the team traveled to Seminole County and joined two different distribution sites to share supplies with hundreds of citizens, some of whom were still without power.
“We have been feeding and providing supplies to people in this community for the past two weeks,” said Martha Fowler, volunteer at the Spring Creek Baptist Church distribution center in Donalsonville. “All of us were impacted by the hurricane, and, as neighbors, have reached out to help one another heal and rebuild.”
Thanks to the west Georgia, Heflin and Bremen communities, Project GIFT was able to fill almost three trailers with cleaning supplies, hygiene products, snacks, food, paper products and blankets. Monetary donations collected were used to sponsor the 10,000 food boxes.
“Our communities are always so quick to respond in times of need,” said Kristian Whittington, Southwire’s manager of employee communication and engagement and Project Gift coordinator. “Project GIFT is so unique because it is a partnership between our employees and our communities. They provide the supplies, and we make sure they get to the right places to do the most good. It’s incredible to see the outpouring we get through each and every disaster, and we are thankful to be part of such giving communities.”
Southwire’s Project GIFT Disaster Relief efforts for 2018 also included collection and distribution in South Carolina following Hurricane Florence in September of this year. To stay updated on Project GIFT events and Southwire’s community involvement, follow Southwire Community on Facebook or visit the southwireblog.com.
