Wiregrass Electric Cooperative Recognizes Vendors and Partners for Support During Hurricane Isaias Restoration

Following the successful restoration of power to all members who could safely receive service after Hurricane Isaias, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative (WEC) is extending its appreciation to the vendors, contractors, mutual aid crews and community partners who played an important role in the cooperative's recovery efforts.
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A Seat at the Table

Isaiah, left, and David pack boxes full of food at the Geneva Baptist Association in Hartford.
Isaiah Salinovich, left, and David Cannon pack boxes full of food at
the Geneva Baptist Association in Hartford.

Food ministry works to fill void

When federal food benefits were reduced by the government, Isaiah Salinovich felt compelled to act.

Last fall, he volunteered to distribute food boxes with the Geneva Baptist Association to help local families. But he realized people needed more, and he wanted to do more.

That led Salinovich to create the Seat at the Table Ministry in January. Since then, he has led a group of volunteers to put together regular events around Geneva County, distributing food boxes while also providing a warm meal on-site and the chance for people to sit down, eat together and enjoy fellowship.

“The main point is to share the gospel, share the love of Jesus Christ with everybody, to bring communities closer together, to bring churches closer together and show that we can do more if we all work together,” Salinovich says.

His efforts recently earned Salinovich recognition as one of the Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass. The monthly award, sponsored through a partnership between Wiregrass Electric Cooperative and WTVY, is funded by Operation Round Up, and each recipient receives $1,000.

WEC’s Vice President of Member Services and Business and Community Development Stevie Sauls presents a Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass award to Isaiah while volunteer David Cannon and WTVY morning anchor Mia Nelson watch.
From left, WEC’s Vice President of Member Services and Business and
Community Development Stevie Sauls presents a Silent
Heroes of the Wiregrass award to Isaiah while volunteer
David Cannon and WTVY morning anchor Mia Nelson watch.

Seat at the Table has a goal beyond distributing food, Salinovich says. It’s about building relationships and making connections with others.

The first meal event was held in Slocomb in February. With 85 volunteers on hand, more than 3,000 pounds of food were distributed, 247 bags of groceries were handed out and 130 hot trays of pancakes and sausage were served. Meal events have been held in Hartford, Geneva and Samson.

Help comes from local churches that provide resources and volunteers, as well as the food pantry at the Geneva Baptist Association and the Wiregrass Area Food Bank.

It costs less than $1,000 to host each event, Salinovich says, but the reward far exceeds the investment. During events, volunteers mingle with those seeking help. All it takes, he says, is someone making a friend at an event for them to feel welcomed and supported.

“It’s about building relationships,” Salinovich says. “It’s about churches working together building relationships with each other and those churches building relationships with people in the community.”