SPANISH FORT — Prodisee Pantry has spent the past two decades not only nourishing the bodies of Baldwin County residents but also striving to feed their spirits.

Upon entering the nonprofit at 9351 Spanish Fort Blvd., visitors are greeted with the verse Matthew 25:35, which says, "­­I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."

This passage serves as the foundation upon which the pantry has stood for the last 20 years. A recent volunteer appreciation event recognized the helpers who have been involved for even a small amount of time and those who have been part of Prodisee since the beginning.

During a food distribution on June 27, hundreds of volunteers began packing shopping carts with essential food items such as milk, canned goods, meat and fruit, interviewing clients and even assisting in parking and loading vehicles with goods.

As clients began walking into the metal building, they were welcomed with a smile and were offered assistance not only with their immediate needs but also with various programs and services available to them.

What started as a dream at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church turned into reality through the grace of God, according to Prodisee Pantry Executive Director Deann Servos."Back in 2003, a group of women got together and kicked off a food pantry," Servos said.

They knew people within the community of Spanish Fort were hungry, but Servos said God had a bigger plan.

"Volunteers are the heart of our program," Servos said. "They are the heart of our community ministry. We can do food, but it is the other things that we do that make us special."

Mary Lou McNair, a volunteer from the pantry's inception, said she has always enjoyed being a part of something that helps people and felt Baldwin County needed to cater to those who are hungry.

Despite skepticism from others who claimed there was no hunger issue in Baldwin County, McNair said she believed the community should extend a helping hand.

"Nobody should be hungry, especially in the kind of country we live in," McNair said.

For McNair, volunteering is not simply a task; it is an expression of genuine compassion.

"Most of our volunteers are so pleasant, and they want to be here and want to help and have a servant's heart," she said.

Another longtime volunteer, Cari LeMaitre, who has been with Prodisee since 2003, said while she blesses and assists those who enter, it is they who bless her in return.

"We are to take care of our brothers and sisters, whether they are in Christ with us or not. We are called to love our neighbor," LeMaitre said.

During a bible study 15 years ago, LeMaitre said she felt that God was leading her to not just feed people physically but to feed them spiritually. This is when she created what she called the "scripture vitamins."

These "vitamins" would be typed on colorful sheets of paper, sharing verses intended to provide encouragement and a focus for meditation to those in need.

"So many people come in despair, and I love to share a word of hope and encouragement," LeMaitre said. "It's all about hope. We want people to realize that it is never too late, always have hope."

In 2022 alone, Prodisee Pantry distributed 595 tons of groceries, benefiting 12,439 individuals. The pantry operated with the assistance of 1,949 volunteers who collectively contributed 35,375 hours of service.

Throughout this year, Prodisee Pantry has already provided nourishment to more than 4,000 individuals.

Over the course of two decades, Prodisee Pantry has served 490,780 individuals in Baldwin County.

Servos, McNair and LeMaitre all say they believe none of this would be possible without God and will continue not just feeding Baldwin County, but also bringing hope to those around by being there for them physically, emotionally and spiritually.