Good Deeds

Rebecca van Loenen shops at ALDI, which has been out of chicken for weeks. But Augusta Locally Grown (AGL) has always had plenty of chicken and other staples in stock. Van Loenen serves as Executive Director of the non-profit organization, which is now located in the HUB for Community Innovation at 631 Chafee Ave. in downtown Augusta. ALG, which was founded in 2008, partners with local farmers to provide food to the local community. “We offer farmers’ markets in food deserts,” van Loenen said. Food deserts are areas, such as

Each year, a local non-profit organization hosts book fairs that provide thousands of free books to children in high-need schools, thanks to help from local businesses. RISE Augusta, one of five nonprofits housed in the new HUB for Community Innovation located at 631 Chafee Ave. in downtown Augusta, receives book donations from several bookstores, such as The Book Tavern and 2nd & Charles, according to its Executive Director, Laurie Cook. “A lot of kids don’t have books at home,” Cook said. She said RISE primarily focuses on improving literacy skills

Addison Niday has found a colorful way to promote CSRA businesses and preserve history at the same time. Niday, a local muralist, has been busy restoring old, faded murals on business buildings, primarily in downtown Augusta. He pays for these restorations, which can cost up to $1,000 each, out of his own pocket. Niday only asks business owners to donate money for paint, but many don’t. “This is a passion project; it’s my love letter to Augusta,” Niday said. He refers to himself as a soda enthusiast, so many of

Starting next week, Augusta area residents can help fight childhood cancer and earn a little “sweet gold” in return. Augusta area Dunkin’ customers can make a $2 donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to support those battling childhood cancer. The promotion runs Sept. 14-28 in honor of September being National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In return for the donations, customers will receive a Gold Joy Donut – a donut ring featuring gold icing topped with a Munchkins donut hole treat. The gold icing pays homage to Childhood Cancer

Jeremy Rueggeberg has found a creative way to help businesses in downtown Augusta. Rueggeberg, the co-founder of Beautify Augusta and former publisher of Medical Professionals Augusta magazine, has developed the idea for a downtown coloring book project and is currently looking for businesses interested in participating. Beautify Augusta is a non-profit organization devoted to funding public mural projects in that part of town, such as its recent restoration of the Pink Slips building on Jones Street. The idea is to use the murals to draw more people to downtown Augusta.

A local single mother is back on the road, thanks to help from a CSRA paint and body shop. Kendrick Paint & Body has partnered with the National Auto Body Council and GEICO to give Carla Paschal a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, an SUV with less than 25,000 miles, according to its Operations and Marketing Specialist, Carson McLaughlin. McLaughlin said the car was donated by GEICO as part of the NABC’s Recycled Rides program, which partners with body shops across the United States to repair cars and provide them to those

For the first time in three years, United Way of the CSRA held an in-person campaign kickoff event this past Friday. Part of the event included the United Way’s annual Project Serve day. This year’s goal is to raise $2.4 million to help meet the continued demands of the CSRA. Last year, United Way of the CSRA used the funds to help support 38 programs at 25 different non-profits throughout the CSRA that impacted more than 253,000 people. “Our community needs United Way, our strong partnerships, and ability to mobilize

Many local teachers are already back at work preparing for a new school year. But a local paint and body shop wants to help one lucky teacher get the classroom supplies he or she needs. Kendrick Paint & Body is giving teachers from all CSRA schools the chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card simply by texting their name and school name to 706-724-4071. A valid teacher ID is required to win. The giveaway began Monday, and all entries must be received by Sunday, August 7 at 11:59 p.m.

Food at The Master’s Table downtown will be cooked a little faster and a bit better, thanks to a donation from Recteq. The grill manufacturer located in Evans recently donated a new RT-1250 Wood Pellet Grill to Golden Harvest Food Bank to be used at their downtown facility that serves meals to those in need. The grill, valued at $1,600, will allow The Master’s Table to prepare large quantities of hot food. “At The Master’s Table, we serve around 200 meals each day, and cooking that amount of meat on