Columbia County people are receiving supplies of food, ice and water at Winfield Community Center as well as at the Fort White community center to help them recover from the effects of tropical storm debby.
James wilson, a resident went to one of the county’s ice distribution stations after his lights came back on. “I’m doing pretty good,” Wilson said. “Just thanking the Lord that nobody got hurt, and we’ve just been holding on,” Parami News quoted as saying.
Justin Brown was another who found out about the availability of ice through Facebook. “Cooking has been pretty rough on everybody,” Brown said. That ran propane tanks dry quickly and their generator could not keep up with demand resulting in spoiled perishable items. He thanked for relief cargoes remembering how difficult it can be to replenish groceries so soon after a disaster.
John Wheeler, volunteer from Rotary Club of Lake City noted that information is gradually spreading about available supplies. “We’ve seen a good number of people, I would say somewhere in the range of 50, but we have a whole 18-wheeler full of ice that. We need to get out to the community,” Wheeler said.
Although power has come back for some residents, supplies are still very important since. There is no electricity in other parts of the county. Wheeler emphasized that those without electricity or essential requirements needed support from others around them.
“Whenever you can help somebody it warms your heart,” says wheeler. “When they’re genuinely hungry or thirsty and need something cool to drink, you know you’ve blessed them, and that’s a good thing.”
Wheeler also urged individuals especially young children to check if anything was wrong with their elderly neighbors so they could be provided with necessary goods like drugs by different centers such as Deep Creek Community Center and Winfield Community Center. Which have been opene as shelters for those patients who require an uninterrupted supply of power.
Columbia County Facebook page will keep updating about the distribution of goods which is going to take place on Wednesday. Another means through which the residents can get help with non-emergency calls is by calling 386-719-7530.
