Local Food Pantry Prepares for Summer Surge: How You Can Help Meet the Rising Demand

Prodisee Pantry: Helping Baldwin County Fight Hunger

In Baldwin County, Prodisee Pantry has been a lifeline for those in need for 22 years. They focus on one critical mission: feeding the hungry.

Last year, they distributed an impressive 176 tons of fresh, locally-sourced produce. "We have coolers and freezers to store food," shared Deann Servos, the Executive Director of Prodisee Pantry.

Summer usually brings more families seeking help, but this year, the numbers have skyrocketed. In May, they assisted around 75 children weekly. By the first week of June, that number jumped to 135. “We saw a 64% increase in families with children needing help,” Servos noted. The free meals provided during the school year significantly ease their budgets, making summer tougher for many.

In total, Prodisee Pantry had nearly 11,000 family visits last year, distributing over 1.4 million pounds of food. Due to rising prices and other challenges, they anticipate even more families will need support. Recently, they welcomed 17 new families seeking food assistance.

"It’s tough when wages aren’t keeping up with rising food costs. Families making ends meet often run out of savings during tough times," said Servos, highlighting a pressing issue many face today.

They’re also gearing up for holiday giveaways, ordering turkeys soon. Traditionally, they serve about 1,200 to 1,500 families during Thanksgiving, and they hope to reach nearly 1,700 for Christmas.

Potential changes to SNAP benefits could lead to a 30% increase in demand. "We’re prepared for that, but we hope it won’t be necessary," Servos added.

As hurricane season approaches, Prodisee Pantry is preparing for more challenges ahead.

If you live in Baldwin County and need assistance, Prodisee Pantry offers food distribution on Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at their Spanish Fort location. They also host a distribution on the second Saturday of each month at Stockton Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For those in Mobile County, Feeding the Gulf Coast also has resources available. Families can check Alabama Sun Bucks for possible one-time payments to help with summer food costs for eligible school-age children.

As the community navigates these tough times, organizations like Prodisee Pantry remain vital in providing support and hope.

(For further details, please check out authoritative sources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regularly shares information on food security and support programs.)

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