Hometown Hero: Volunteers helping Bryan Co. community

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Since Tuesday’s deadly tornado hit Bryan County, we’ve seen people from the community step up to help in big ways. From lending heavy equipment to cooking hot meals.

“We’ve been feeding around 400-500 people a day,” Garrett Shurling said. “We never dreamed it would be like right in our backyard. Cooking for our family and friends less than a mile away from our own home.

Shurling and his crew of family members and friends now have a system down pat. Because they’ve been cooking for victims, first responders and cleanup crews since Wednesday.

“We’ll light the fire in the smoker around 9 in the morning and we’ll shut down camp around 9 that night.”

“We were just absolutely flooded with volunteers to help cook and people bringing drinks and supplies and money.”

For 39 years, giving back was a no brainer.

Some stop by for a meal and some meals are out for delivery.

“We’ve been loading up side-by-sides and pickup trucks with meals and supplies.”

Monday’s menu was mac n cheese, green beans, ham and a brownie.

Shurling says it’s not the first time he’s cooked for those in a time of need.

“We actually purchased this big smoker to go out and cook for charities and nonprofits,” Shurling said. “We are going to be out here for the duration. Our family is dedicated to seeing this thing through to the end.”

Shurling, this week’s Hometown Hero, says there are heroes all around the county.

“It’s very humbling to kind of like be a small part of it and watch. I certainly don’t feel like a hero, but there are some here at this cook site who for sure are.”

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