THOMASVILLE — A hot midday Georgia sun beat down Tuesday on representatives of a Nebraska-based company delivering disaster relief supplies at the Second Harvest of South Georgia distribution center in Thomasville.

A Nebraska e-commerce company, Spreetail, donated $26,000 worth of equipment and supplies to Second Harvest for disaster relief. In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, Spreetail team members delivered equipment, including chainsaws, generators, water filters and sleeping cots, for distribution from the 30 Southwest Georgia counties served by Second Harvest.

The delivery crew left Thomasville on Tuesday afternoon en route to Florida’s Mexico Beach and Panama City, where hurricane damage reached devastating proportions.

Second Harvest is coordinating all disaster relief efforts from the Thomasville location.

“Spreetail’s generous contribution will help us provide our neighbors in need with equipment and supplies we don’t normally have here at the food bank,” said Eliza McCall, chief marketing officer at the 120 Roseway Second Harvest Thomasville facility.

Second Harvest of South Georgia is the largest rural food bank in Georgia and one of the largest rural food banks in the nation. Headquartered in Valdosta, the organization has locations in Albany, Douglas, and Thomasville. Through a network of more than 450 partner agencies and through Second Harvest programs, the food bank distributed more than 20 million pounds of food — or 16.5 million meals — in the last 12 months and is feeding thousands of children daily.

“Right now, we’re in disaster relief mode,” said Annabeth Sadler, Second Harvest Valdosta headquarters, who was at the Thomasville facility Tuesday to assist as trucks were unloaded.

Second Harvest, which provides children with after-school and other meals, plans to provide disaster meals to children affected by power outages.

While trucks were being unloaded outside, meals were being prepared in the large Second Harvest kitchen for linemen and storm victims at Red Cross shelters. The food preparation pace is expected to pick up, with as many as 15,000 meals to be prepared here daily for storm victims in the Second Harvest coverage area.

Sadler said Spreetail reached out to Second Harvest. The supply offer was not expected.

The 60,000-square-foot, warehouse-type Second Harvest building is stacked almost to the ceiling with boxes of storm-related equipment delivered Tuesday.

Cases of name-brand food filled a truck being unloaded at the rear of the building.

Food included:

• Peanut butter

• Potato chips and other snack foods

• Canned tuna and chilli

• Fruit cups

• Canned and dog food

• Apple sauce

All canned food has pull-top lids.

Also delivered were cases of disposable diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray and dog beds and pet crates. 

“Through our community impact, we hope to strengthen the relationships we have with each other, with the communities we touch and to change the way people and businesses do good,” said Natasha Nordgren, head of Spreetail brand marketing.

Said McCall: “Spreetail’s generous contribution will help us provide our neighbors in need with equipment and supplies we don’t normally have here at the food bank.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820