SAVANNAH, GA () – As hurricane season intensifies, Second Harvest is making proactive efforts to prepare for potential storms. The non-profit organization is collaborating with Gulfstream and Chatham Emergency Management to assemble thousands of emergency food boxes.

It’s a new partnership that could mean the difference between hunger and hope for families here in the Coastal Empire.

One in seven Georgians faces food insecurity, and that number spikes after a natural disaster.

This Wednesday, volunteers are working tirelessly to pack meals that require no kitchen facilities or electricity. Their efforts ensure that families have access to essential supplies when hurricanes hit.

Thanks to a $75,000 grant and a partnership with Gulfstream and Chatham Emergency Management, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is aiming to fill up to 5,000 disaster relief food boxes.

After Hurricane Helene devastated the area last fall, hundreds of residents went hungry. This year, Second Harvest is making sure that doesn’t happen again.

These aren’t hot meals – they’re boxed meals with items like canned goods, peanut butter, and shelf-stable goods. They’re meant for anyone who might not be able to cook or reach a food distribution site for days.

“We are actually getting ready for hurricane season and preparing about 5000 boxes of disaster relief boxes that people would be able to use in case of a disaster. And they don’t have electricity. So, these boxes will contain things like canned tuna, canned ham, peanut butter,” said Mary Jane Crouch, the Executive Director for Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia.

These meals are meant for families who lose power or access to a kitchen after a hurricane.

Second Harvest says they still need volunteers and every helping hand or donation makes a difference.

Experts say just three days without power can lead to food insecurity for vulnerable families.

If you’d like to help, you can click here for donations or here for volunteering.