By GREG BLUESTEIN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, July 25, 2007; 4:52 AM

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Surrounded by four housing projects in one of Augusta's rougher neighborhoods, the Castleberry's Food Co. plant has become a beacon for jobs, food and a sense of hope in its impoverished community.

The plant has long provided decent pay and an easy walk to work for the hundreds who live in nearby ramshackle buildings, and its managers have been ready contributors to the civic organizations hoping to strengthen the community.

The future of the neighborhood seems shakier than ever now that the plant has been temporarily shut down after it was linked to botulism in canned chili sauce, a discovery that triggered a massive recall of canned foods produced at the plant in the past two years.

Federal authorities asked consumers to throw away more than 90 different products _ from chili sauce to corned beef hash to dog food _ after investigators found evidence of botulism toxin in all but one of 17 bulging cans that were tested.

Because the symptoms of botulism are so severe _ the rare but serious illness can cause paralysis _ officials are warning consumers not to take chances.

So far, four cases of botulism have been reported _ two from Indiana and two from Texas. All four people consumed Hot Dog Chili Sauce Original, a product made by Castleberry's.

Although Castleberry's is recalling everything made on the one manufacturing line, the only products linked to illness thus far are the chili sauces.

Company officials said they were working with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture to determine how widespread the problem was. They said they would not process any more food at the Augusta plant until the government agrees it should reopen.

The plant's future remained uncertain Tuesday. Dozens of pickup trucks and sedans packed the parking lot, which was guarded by security, as employees shuffled through the gates.

As the plant goes, community advocates say, so goes the community. It's the center of several community pillars _ the local church is across the street, the high school is a block down the road and the Shiloh Community Center sits next door.

"It has enabled a lot of jobs, enabled a lot of students to go to school, parents to purchase homes," said Barbara Pirtle, who was visiting the community center. "If it closes, all that will be lost."

The community center is a former crack house converted into a neighborhood outreach complex. Only a thin metal gate separates it from the plant.

"There's a fence between us, but it means nothing," declared Ruth B. Crawford.

Since Crawford purchased the rundown warren of decaying buildings in 1977 to open the center, she's grown to view Castleberry's as a crucial partner. The plant has donated food, funding and supplies to the center.

"When we got in dire need, I could always look to them for help," Crawford said.

The center's newly appointed director, Tonda Booker, plans to continue working with the plant, with hopes of creating an outreach program to recruit and train neighborhood teens to work for Castleberry's.

But suddenly, her priorities have changed. Instead of charting out plans to work with Castleberry's, her attention turned to the center's modest food pantry: At least 10 percent of the donations have come from Castleberry's.

Now she's worried the plant could close for good.

"I'm hoping they don't close. I'm nervous about it. We depend on them for so much," she said. "Do you know what an empty Castleberry's would do to this community?"

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On the Net:

Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov

Castleberry's Food Co.: http://www.castleberrys.com/