Dot Foods employees in Mount Sterling help people in Vidalia, Ga., after Hurricane Helene

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — In response to Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Vidalia, Ga., Dot Foods, Inc., mobilized its employees for hands-on relief efforts in the affected community. Vidalia, home to one of Dot’s 13 U.S. distribution centers, was significantly affected by the hurricane.

More than 30 employees from various Dot locations, including Mount Sterling, traveled to Vidalia to assist in the recovery efforts. These volunteers cleared debris, provided meals and maintained operations at the Vidalia distribution center, allowing local employees to focus on repairing their homes and property. Dot also coordinated deliveries of critical supplies, including food and drinking water, to meet immediate needs.

“Hurricane Helene impacted every member of our Vidalia team. We’re incredibly grateful that all of our Vidalia employees were physically safe, but disasters like this take a profound emotional toll,” Matt Holt, vice president of distribution centers, said in a press release. “Many of our team members were without power and water for weeks. Everyone in the area faced devastation — debris, downed trees and damage to homes, businesses and vehicles.” 

“We knew our colleagues and their families were in need, and we wanted to help,” said Gaylon Ryan, a Dot employee at the Mount Sterling distribution center. “We worked alongside our colleagues, helping them clear trees, repair damage and provide a little relief. The sense of community and support was overwhelming. This was so much bigger than work. It was about helping people get their lives back on track.”

“I was glad I could go to Vidalia and help,” said Jessica Tangerose, another Dot employee at the Mount Sterling distribution center. “This experience highlighted the strength of the Dot community and what we can achieve when we work together.”

In addition to on-the-ground support, Dot organized a donation campaign and raised $117,584 for the United Way of Toombs, Montgomery and Wheeler Counties through employee contributions and a company dollar-for-dollar match. This local United Way chapter serves Vidalia and surrounding areas and has been crucial in coordinating relief efforts for the Vidalia community.

“We’re proud of how our employees immediately jumped in to support our Vidalia team,” Holt said. “It’s an inspiring example of our culture at work. Our employees showed incredible dedication, not only in helping restore operations at our Vidalia facility but in providing much-needed support to their colleagues and the entire community.”

Dot also donated two truckloads of food to support relief efforts further.