Cooperative Living November/December 2022 - 12

COOPERATIVE FOCUS
For the Love
(continued from page 9)
Farmville, Va., was an unexpected
blessing to the family.
An all-volunteer organization,
FACES is the largest food pantry in
Southside Virginia, and currently serves
about 750 individuals a week. " Our
motto is 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors,'
and we endeavor to live that in every
outreach, " says Joanna Baker, FACES
Food Pantry co-president.
The group does weekly food
distribution at its two locations -
Farmville and County Line (Abilene) -
but also delivers to more than 75
households in specific complexes
designed for the elderly or adults with
disabilities. FACES was founded in
1981 and is supported through
voluntary labor and generous monetary
contributions from the Farmville area.
The Barnetts struggled with the idea
of using a food pantry. " We didn't want
to take from others who were worse off
than us. But, let me tell you, that one box
of food - it was a huge weight off our
shoulders. With a special-needs child
and all the costs that go along with that,
being able to get fresh produce and meat
is one less thing we have to worry about.
We are so incredibly grateful to Joanna
Tony Atkins (left), Southside Electric
Cooperative member, shows up every
Saturday in Farmville to help load
groceries into vehicles.
and her husband, Paul, and their team
of volunteers for all they do for the
community, " Michael says.
The volunteers at FACES are there
every Saturday morning, rain or shine.
To
friendly faces that greets clients, liike
the Barnetts, on Sa
Tony Atkins is juis just one ofthe
th
ony Atkins is just one ofthe
lients,
tki
Electric Cooperat
wo
his loca
a d
lWa
lmar
lmar
cares for his wife,
is
by FA
S
t
r
one
ofth
ke
the Barnetts, on Saturdays. A Southsideou
side
Coop ra ive member, Atkins
hift at
tki
works an exhausting overnight shift at
his loca
t a
cares for his wife, Michele, who has
isability.
He also relies on food provided
on fo
Satu da
to helo hel
us
y
hicles
ike
ed
by FACES, and faithfully helps load
grocericeries into clients' vehicles every
atu da in Farmville. " I like being able
ur neighbors, because they
ve
help us out, " Atkins says. " It gives me a
good feeling. "
Jennifer Wall, communications
p o
ur
ause
iferWall, communications
specialist at SEC, has been volunteering
at FACES for many years. " It's a
tremendous organization. Joanna and
her husband, Paul, are such inspirational
people, and are very communityoriented, "
she says.
SEC has generously supported
Joanna Baker and her husband, Paul,
are co-presidents of FACES Food
Pantry, an organization that plays a
huge role in the local community.
10 ● Cooperative Living ●
FACES, as many of FACES' clients
are SEC members. In 2020, the co-op
presented FACES Food Pantry with a
$7,500 contribution, which CoBank
matched through its Sharing the Success
program, resulting in a $15,000
donation. The funds went toward
purchasing four large chest freezers and
racking to store frozen and dry goods.
In accepting the donation, former
Board of Directors President Ellery
November-December 2022
nd, during the day,
as
y,
Sedgwick said, on behalf of FACES,
" Southside Electric Cooperative and
FACES share essentially the same goal:
to improve the quality of life in the
Southside region by cost-efficiently
providing basic necessities, electricity
and food. SEC serves approximately
55,000 households and FACES around
1,500, but both provide crucial services
to the public. "
At FACES, the Barnetts found
no judgment based on what they look
like or the vehicle they drive. Just love
and compassion. Especially inJoanna
wha the
an ompassion.
and Paul.ul.
Matthew is just now learning to
ust now
w,
tis
and sensory issues mean
in ro ucin
to
chew, his father explains, because his
ther explains, because his
autism and sensory issues mean
introducing new foods can take aske as
long as six months.
That makes Joanna's reaction even
more special. " Joanna knows about
this and she goes above and beyond and
tries to find new things for us to try to
introduce to him. She actually has a little
box that says 'For Matthew.' "
" Every mother wants their child
to be happy and healthy and
develop properly, of course,
but I'm glad I wasn't given that
choice because I would have
missed out on a lot of Matthew
being who he is. "
- Crystal Barnett
co-opliving.com
r the vehicle they drive. Just love
cially in Joanna
PHOTO COURTESY FACES
PHOTO COURTESY JENNIFER WALL
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living November/December 2022

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