COLUMBIA, S.C. — Grocers across the Central and Western portions of South Carolina continue to restock their shelves, after suffering the impacts of Helene.
Christa Williams is the owner of Uncle Willies’s Grocery Store on North Main Street in Columbia. The store offers customers food, staples, specialty items, and health food options.
Even though they are a small, independent retailer, Williams said they were still affected by Helene.
“Small artisans that I buy from, they delayed shipping until after there was more information about the storm. I have received some shipments a little later than expected because of the hurricane,” Williams said.
Of course it’s not just small retailers that have been affected.
Large stores like the Walmart Supercenter on Garners Ferry Road lost power Friday morning, forcing employees to dispose of hundreds of perishable items.
Tuesday evening, employees were busy restocking shelves with new refrigerated products, but there were still some obvious shortages, especially with dairy items.
Brooks Nelson, Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response with Walmart said the retailer is focused on helping the community and reopening stores.
"We're focusing on getting our stores back up and running. We know that when the Walmart opens in that community, it provides hope in that community, that the community is starting to recover. And it brings normalcy back into that community,” Brooks explained.
Brooks said Walmart is working throughout the affected areas in a variety of ways, including donating products and more.
“Using our parking lot and physical footprint in that community to stage supplies. We work with partners who provide hot showers, laundry, feeding units, hot spot and charging stations,” Brooks said.
Publix released a statement, “Our manufacturing and distribution teams are working around the clock to make, load and deliver product to our stores. Stores are receiving deliveries, but product availability may vary by store depending on a number of factors, including accessibility by our distribution network.”
And another grocery store, Kroger, said, “We are also focusing on working with communities on local disaster relief efforts through direct donations of much-needed supplies such as water and ice.
Additionally, Kroger is hosting a customer round-up to help support the American Red Cross and its enormous relief efforts. Starting today and through the month of October, Kroger customers can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar amount or make a donation at checkout. 100% of all donations made during the month of October will go directly to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief.”
As of Tuesday evening, Walmart reported that all of their South Carolina stores have reopened.