BRANTLEY COUNTY, Ga. – Wildfires burning through Brantley County have scorched nearly 23,000 acres, with the fire only 6% contained, officials said. Schools will remain closed Tuesday as the blazes continue.
Despite the closures, Brantley County Schools set up eight meal distribution sites Monday afternoon, placing coolers filled with food in school parking lots for students and their families. Hundreds of families showed up to collect supplies.
Corey Lesseig, an eighth-grade middle school teacher, described what was inside the bags.
“We have a lunch, we have a snack, we have our breakfast snack,” Lesseig said. “For every kid in the household that’s in here in Brantley County, they’re getting basically till lunch tomorrow.”
Andie McDowell, a school counselor at Hoboken Elementary School, said the need among students runs deeper than just food.
“Our students, a lot of our students depend on school for support and nutrition and extra things that they’re not getting right now,” McDowell said. “So, we’re glad to be able to provide them with anything that we can.”
Lesseig said the fires have directly hit families in his own classroom. Of the 17 students on his homeroom roster, 10 have either been evacuated or lost their homes.
“It’s devastating. It’s devastating,” he said.
Tracy Hay came to Waynesville Primary School Monday with her grandchildren in tow. She said the wildfires have upended her family, with her uncle losing his home and another family member dealing with smoke damage.
“This is a big blessing right here, just everyone helping with the community and the kids that lost everything,” Hay said.
For Hay, the outpouring of support carried deep meaning.
“It means a lot that the community come together and help one another,” she said.
Lesseig echoed that sentiment, saying public school teachers and staff see themselves as part of the same community they serve.
“We’re exactly what you thought we were,” Lesseig said. “We’re your neighbors. We’re your uncles and aunts and your parents and so we’re here for you.”
Brantley County Schools will remain closed Tuesday. It is not yet known whether schools will hold another meal distribution. Updates will be provided when an announcement is made.