Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
No sooner than the winds of Hurricane Idalia diminished, help was already on the way from across the nation. By Friday, Sept. 1, volunteers from as far away as Louisiana, Kansas City, Philadelphia and more had descended on Madison to help. A common response from those who gave up their time when told “thank you” was, “I’m happy to help.”
Governor Ron DeSantis, along with State Senator Cory Simon, were in Madison on Friday, Sept. 1, to serve meals to hundreds of Madison County residents at Madison County High School. On the other side of town, State Representative Alison Tant was at the Madison Church of God, helping to distribute food to hundreds more. “This has been like feeding the multitudes with loaves and fishes,” said Rep Tant.
At the Madison Church of God, Rep. Tant, along with Pastor Jason Justus, help coordinate the food giveaway on Friday, Sept. 1. By mid-afternoon, nearly 70,000 pounds of food had been given away. “This is not a ‘Church of God’ thing,” said Pastor Justus. “This has been a God thing. Several churches from the area have responded with assistance. First Baptist, First Methodist, Fellowship Baptist and others have helped. Farm Share and Second Harvest has helped provide food to give away. Many people have given donations.” Plans were in place for more truckloads of food and other necessities, such as baby diapers soap, personal hygiene items, etc., to be brought in and distributed. Plans were also made to provide the church’s Family Life Building to be used as a “comfort station” where people can take a break from the heat in an air conditioned building, charge their cell phones, etc. Hot meals were also going to be served in the evenings at the church.
In the Winn Dixie parking lot, the famed “Cajun Navy” from Louisiana, had their “Ground Force” on hand to distribute food items to those who came by. Using local volunteers, was well as volunteers who traveled to Madison from Louisiana and Mississippi, the organization stepped up to provide much needed assistance to Madison County. More information about the “Cajun Navy Ground Force” can be found at gocajunnavy.org.
At Madison County High School, another relief organization was busy handing out BBQ pulled pork dinners to anyone who drove through. After receiving helpful supplies such as drinking water, tarps, etc. from National Guard troops, residents could receive as many BBQ dinners as they needed from “Operation BBQ Relief.” Many residents had their dinners handed to them by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and State Senator Cory Simon. Operation BBQ Relief, from Missouri, provides hot meals for individuals in areas where natural disasters take place anywhere in the country. Recently, after the wildfires in Hawaii, over 33,000 meals were provided over 22 days. In total, they have provided nearly 11 million meals in 32 states since 2011.They will be in Madison providing meals during the coming days. For more information on Operation BBQ Relief, please visit their website at operationbbqrelief.org.
Over the next several weeks, while Madison County and the surrounding area recovers from the storm, a greater story will unfold. The power of compassion shown when neighbors help neighbors with a warm meal, a chainsaw, a bottle of water or perhaps just a friendly smile, is a force much more powerful than any storm could ever muster. That is a story that began shining bright and will last long after all the lights have come back on.