SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Prodisee Pantry might not have claimed one of two $250,000 top awards in Pepsi’s “Do Good for the Gulf” grant program, but the awareness raised for the Spanish Fort-based nonprofit’s services far exceeded all expectations.

“We peaked at 14th, but by the final day of voting we had dropped to 17th. It’s just hard to be disappointed when we managed to boost our profile on such a large scale in such a short amount of time,” Deann Servos, executive director of the pantry, said.

The pantry’s “Building to Meet the Need” proposal was named one of 287 finalists—out of 1,200 applicants—for the online contest, part of the larger Pepsi Refresh Project.

Proponents had until Aug. 31 to cast their votes.

The pantry’s “Building to Meet the Need” proposal was submitted to help offset costs for the construction of an 11,000-square-foot building on donated property just outside the Spanish Fort city limits.

The new facility will include two sections. The first is a 5,000-square-foot receiving/storage/repackaging area for dry/frozen/cooled foods and disaster relief supplies with the necessary loading docks. The remaining 6,000 square feet will consist of a large multi-purpose public room for interviewing clients/meetings/event; an emergency kitchen; restrooms; and several offices.

Servos said the emergency food and disaster relief operation serving all of Baldwin County is not deterred by the results and will certainly apply again in the future if the beverage company continues to make the grant funding available.

“We’re going to move forward with our building plans and our fundraising activities, but right now our most pressing need is getting ready for the increased volume of the holidays. They’re going to be here before we know it,” Servos said.

“Mainly, we just want to thank everybody for trying really hard to help us in this way,” she said.