Golden Harvest, AU join to spread COVID-19 vaccine to underserved

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Golden Harvest Food Bank is saying its goodbyes to the Georgia National Guard. After more than a year of service, members of the Guard are wrapping up their pandemic relief efforts.

Since last April, troops have helped provide close to 15 million meals to people across the two-state. In order to say thank you, Golden Harvest held a farewell event in partnership with Mayor Hardie Davis. Congressman Rick Allen and Rep. Jody Hice were also in attendance.

But as Golden Harvest was honored by local and state leaders, their mission continued. When The Master’s Table, Golden Harvest’s soup kitchen, opened Thursday morning-- there was a line waiting outside. Most, of course, hoping for a meal, but many surprised by a chance to get vaccinated.

“Having no income or a stable place to live it’s hard paying for food or drink myself throughout the day,” said Edward Rush, a 19-year-old vaccinated at the event.

He came for a meal, but left with a meal and a vaccine. AU Health brought a mobile vaccination clinic to The Master’s Table and offered the COVID-19 shot for free.

“We know just like there’s barriers to food, and there are food insecure people we need to break down the barriers to healthcare,” said Amy Breitmann, Executive Director at Golden Harvest Food Bank.

Breitmann says the partnership with AU Health came naturally.

“Partnering with them helps build that bridge with the population that they serve,” said Dr. Joshua Wyche, AU Health.

Dr. Wyche says that’s their biggest struggle now. They have to find ways to convince those who question the science to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s going to take a much more localized, one-on-one approach. This is an opportunity to reach 400 or 500 families within a targeted one-on-one approach,” he said.

AU will reach those families through Golden Harvest’s mobile market in Thomson this weekend. The plan to build trust and make it hard to say no.

“For us to show up as a presence, both from Golden Harvest and AU Health, it just shows a partnership, care, and concern for those residents,” Breitmann said.

AU Health says they have events lined up with Golden Harvest for several weeks.

The clinic and mobile market will be at Thomson-McDuffie Middle School from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Anyone is welcome, and there’s no appointment needed.

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