THOMASVILLE — Some local agencies are offering aid to area residents in need following the damage wreaked by Tropical Storm Fay.

Salvation Army Thomasville Chapter is offering food and sheltering to those who have been displaced by damage to their homes or are unable to return home due to conditions, Lieutenant Matt Cunningham said. As of Tuesday afternoon, the organization had helped approximately 20 people.

“We’re working with some hotels to be able to give shelter by providing hotel vouchers,” he said. “There is a limited number and people have to qualify for assistance. We’re also offering breakfast and dinner through Friday. Right now, we are concerned with meeting immediate needs of food and shelter; down the road we could look at furniture and clothing, depending on the need.”

Breakfast is 8 a.m. and dinner is 6 p.m., both at the Salvation Army Church, 500 N. Madison St.

Salvation Army is also helping those who have lost power for several days and their food is ruined by setting up a system where they can go to Harveys and receive a certain amount of spending money for groceries, depending upon the number of people in the house.

Kristin Riggs, executive director of American Red Cross Georgia Wiregrass Chapter, said her organization has been busy throughout the storm.

“We opened two shelters — here and in Grady County — over the weekend,” she said. “We had about 60 people come here and 12 in Grady County. The phone was ringing when I walked in yesterday and has been ringing non-stop. The majority of people coming in for assistance have been from Thomas and Grady counties.”

Riggs said it was hard to make an estimate but she knew at least 40 families had sought help. It is offering food, shelter and clothing if damage has been done to the house.

Those seeking assistance must provide a form of I.D., she said. The Red Cross has teams doing damage assessments.

“We’ve had about what we expected, but the damage is worse than we expected,” Riggs said. “Last Friday we didn’t think we would be doing this much; then we got over 25 inches of rain and the whole situation changed.”

Donations are always appreciated, she said, and can be made by calling 226-2181.

Thomas County Food Bank has also seen an increase in clients.

Dorothy Pauwels, hostess who greets families, said the food bank had 68 clients Monday and 75 by lunchtime Tuesday. She said it was hard to pinpoint an exact number of those coming in due to the storm or economic hardship, but estimated the food bank has been serving six new families a day.

Those asking for assistance must bring proof of income and a picture ID and go through an interview process to determine eligibility.

Maryline Smith, board of directors president, said donations are needed. Donations should be sent to P.O. Box 2422, Thomasville, GA 31799. Non-perishable food items may be dropped off at the food bank.