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PICKENS, S.C. (BFMG) — As more than 1.5 million households across the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina are without power after devestation from storm Helene, one local family is stepping up to provide hot meals to their neighbors in need. Jonathan Baker who happens to be well known under his famed hashtag #WheresBaldo and his 14-year-old daughter, Amelia, have been cooking and grilling for hundreds of locals in Pickens who have been left without electricity for days.
“I’m not sure how busy we’ll be tonight, but for the last two nights we’ve fed hundreds, but we’ve still got food to move” said Baker. “we’ve got power that just came back on, so we’re feeding people out of here.”
Colonial House was built as a summer house in 1903 before being turned into the “Whites Hotel” in the 1940’s. Later we’re told it became a home for teachers throughout the sixties and now Jonathan is working to restore the house keeping as much original detail as possible.
Jonathan said a large tree fell on their property, which held many family memories and a swing his daughter enjoyed, the tree was uprooted during the storm, also destroying a rock wall he had carefully tried to attend to.
Amelia, a high school student who chose culinary arts as her career path, has taken the lead in the family’s efforts. “I really enjoy cooking, and this has been a chance to learn more about our community while also helping out,” she said. “I’ve always been cooking. It’s something my whole family has done on both sides. I am having fun.”
She tells us, the most popular thing has been burgers and they’ve been heating pizzas in their air fryer.
With no power and many local stores closed, the Bakers have relied on donations to keep their cooking going. Local businesses have chipped in, including Dollar General, which donated frozen pizzas, and Café Connections, a local café that brought enough supplies to make over 100 burgers.
“Without these donations, we wouldn’t have been able to serve so many people,” Jonathan said. “People have been really generous. We’re just happy to be a part of it.”
The Colonial House is located at 206 Griffin Street, Pickens, South Carolina. The Bakers say they will continue as long as they can or until power is restored to their area.
Haven’t known Johnthan long but for what I see he has a heart of stone yes they r still good people around you just have to ask God to place them in your surroundings thank you Johnthan’s and your family for opening your home time and effort. This is what I’m talking about you don’t have tell people you know the lord for things you do that inner man will show up and your light will shine. There’s gonna be a big surprise come judgement day everything crying holy and saved gonna be surprised.