The Fairhope Lions Club has awarded Deann Servos, executive director of Prodisee Pantry in Spanish Fort, the Aubrey D. Green Humanitarian Award for her contributions to humanitarian service.

Servos has served at Prodisee Pantry since 2004. Each year, the food bank serves more than 11,000 Baldwin County residents who are in need. She was nominated by the Fairhope Lions Club for "outstanding humanitarian service" and for demonstrating “extraordinary leadership, compassion and relentless dedication” in her role as executive director.

A ceremony celebrating Servos and her achievment was held at the Prodisee Pantry on Tuesday morning, with several of their volunteers and members of the Fairhope Lions Club in attendance.

In a statement, Fairhope Lions Club President Frank Adams said her efforts and dedication over the years has changed many lives and that him and the organization felt she should be “honored for her unparalleled contributions in the fight against hunger, her pioneering spirit and her unwavering dedication to uplifting those in need.”

“This is a huge honor and Ms. Servos is well deserving and all 188 clubs voted to present the award to Prodisee Pantry’s founder and Executive Director,” Adams said.

Each year, the Aubrey D. Green Humanitarian Award is presented annually at the Lions of Alabama Annual Convention in honor of Aubrey D. Green, who was the former president of the International Association of Lions Clubs. It is awarded to a non-Lion citizen of Alabama or a native of Alabama “who has made a significant contribution to a better community, state and nation through their personal business or professional life.”

Past recipients of the award include Sen. Jim Allen, Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Congressman Tom Bevill and former Gov. George Wallace.