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Area jobless rate jumps half a point
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Staff Report
Updated: Jan 25, 2013, 12:10 AM
Published: Jan 25, 2013, 12:12 AM

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Savannah rose to 8.2 percent in December, up five-tenths of a percentage point from 7.7 percent in November. The rate was 8.7 percent in December 2011.


The preliminary unemployment rate in the Coastal Georgia region rose to 8.7 percent in December, up five-tenths of a percentage point from 8.2 percent in November. The rate was 9.2 percent in December 2011.


Unemployment in Effingham County stood at 7.4 percent for December 2012, up from 7.1 percent for November 2012. Effingham’s unemployment rate for December 2011 was 7.7 percent.


The rate rose because of a combination of factors — a slight increase in initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits and an increase in the labor force, as more people began searching for work.


There were 39 more new claims for unemployment benefits in construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and warehousing, and accommodations and food services. While the initial claims were up from November to December, they were down by 1,024, or 41.6 percent, from 2,460 in December 2011. The decline in claims led to an over-the-year drop in the area’s jobless rate.


The labor force, those employed or actively searching for a job, increased by 1,411, rising from 179,537 to 180,948 in December. The new jobseekers are counted as unemployed until they get work.


Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.6 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 11.4 percent.


Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.6 percent in December, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 8.5 percent in November. The rate was 9.4 percent in December a year ago.
Manna House Expands Thanksgiving Giveaway Amid Rising Need
Rising Grocery Costs in Georgia and Loss of SNAP Benefits Drive Record Local Demand
Manna House
Liz Quarterman, operations manager at Manna House, packs a Thanksgiving 'Box of Hope' for a local family. This year, volunteers helped assemble 1,100 boxes to ensure every household in need can enjoy a holiday meal. (Paul Kasko / Effingham Herald)
Updated: Nov 22, 2025, 6:36 PM
Published: Nov 20, 2025, 6:13 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Manna House has expanded its annual Thanksgiving “Boxes of Hope” giveaway to meet growing demand as families face the loss of SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown and continue to struggle with rising grocery prices. 

Many families in Effingham County are struggling more now than they ever have before. Grocery prices in Georgia have risen an estimated 6.57% over the past year.

Distribution hours and location
Distribution is taking place at Manna House, 1210 Patriot Drive in Rincon, and continues Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. The giveaway runs through Nov. 25.

Operations Manager on growing need
Operations Manager Liz Quarterman said the ministry increased its distribution from 800 to 1,100 boxes after seeing an unprecedented spike in local need.

“Three hundred new families have come forward since Nov. 1 seeking assistance,” she said. “Even families with two incomes are struggling to buy groceries and put food on the table. Prices are skyrocketing.”

To meet the surge, Manna House purchased an additional 300 boxes using its own budget at a cost of about $9,000, Quarterman said.

Each "Box of Hope" contains all the essentials for a full Thanksgiving meal, including a frozen turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, peaches, cranberry sauce, yams, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, marshmallow cream, Jell-O, rice, mac and cheese, dried milk, brownie mix, Jiffy mix, and a dozen eggs. Flatware, napkins, and cups are included as well.

Quarterman said the cost of each box would be about $150 at grocery-store prices. Through bulk purchasing from Harvest House, Manna House acquires the food at about 10 cents per pound — roughly $20 per box.

Manna House
Volunteer Laurie Jamison directs traffic at Manna House’s Thanksgiving distribution center. This year’s giveaway drew more than 150 volunteers — the most ever in the organization’s history — helping assemble and distribute 1,100 “Boxes of Hope” to families in need. (Nichole Buchanan / Effingham Herald)

Manna House in Rincon
Manna House in Rincon is a nonprofit ministry that provides food assistance, clothing, and household items to those in need in Effingham County. It operates a food pantry with weekly distributions and a thrift store whose sales help fund the pantry’s operations. The organization also hosts school supply drives and holiday assistance programs like "Boxes of Hope."

“Manna House provides food for over 16,000 households in need each year, and we’ve seen that number rise during the government shutdown,” Quarterman said. “'The Boxes of Hope' are especially meaningful. Every family deserves to enjoy a holiday meal, and thanks to our generous donors and faithful volunteers, we are blessed to share God’s love in this way.”

“If you need food, we are here,” Quarterman said. “If you know someone who needs food, we are here.”

Volunteer turnout sets record
Quarterman said this year’s giveaway sparked the largest volunteer turnout in Manna House history. More than 150 volunteers have helped distribute the boxes.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “So many people are volunteering. This is the best county in the world.”