FAIRHOPE, Ala.—Mary Suckow of Fairhope is no stranger to some Baldwin County residents’ hunger, but even the seasoned volunteer learned a few things during Thursday’s lecture at the Eastern Shore Art Center.

“I found the food bank just full of ideas. I really didn’t fully understand how it functions, and I’m impressed,” she said following “It’s About Hunger… Physical, Emotional and Spiritual.”

The series of 20-minute talks, delivered by area professionals dealing with the issue of hunger on a daily basis, is part of a five-week awareness campaign coordinated by Spanish Fort-based Prodisee Pantry to help local residents looks past the stereotypes of hunger and see clearly the people and lives it affects.

The lectures were offered in tandem with San Antonio artist Michael Nye’s “About Hunger and Resilience” exhibit at the Eastern Shore Art Center. Nye’s interactive photographic and audio exhibit runs through Nov. 12, offering local residents a glimpse into the lives of 30 people across the country — including the stories of four Baldwin County families — who are either struggling with hunger or have emerged stronger for the experience.

The lecture series included insights from the Rev. Bill Price, senior pastor at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, who discussed the “spiritual price” of hunger; motivational speaker and consultant Drexel Gilbert; Paul McLendon with Volunteers of America Southeast, who discussed the Christian directive to assist those in need; David Reaney, executive director of the Bay Area Food Bank, who discussed the distribution process; and Regional Extension Agent Cynthia Knowlton, who talked about the role 4-H plays in instilling positive nutritional habits in youth.

Suckow, who volunteered for more than 10 years with Ecumenical Ministries Inc. in Fairhope, said she wasn’t aware of Prodisee Pantry’s existence or reach during her years of service and felt enlightened — and encouraged — following Thursday’s talks.

 “Baldwin County looks so prosperous, but hunger is everywhere no matter how it looks from the outside. And it doesn’t have to be something most people consider devastating. It can be needing to have dental work done or needing an expensive prescription filled. You don’t have to be horribly poverty stricken for hunger to become a problem. It’s the people living paycheck to paycheck who simply can’t afford any surprises,” Suckow said.

For seven years, the pantry has provided emergency food and assistance to families across Baldwin County.

Barbara Perry, visiting the Eastern Shore from Daytona Beach, Fla., said she found the talks interesting because even though she has volunteered in her home state with similar operations, she never really understood the distribution side of the equation.

“I’m amazed at how much further along Alabama is than Florida. There’s so much bureaucracy and paperwork in Florida, so after seeing this, I’m really hoping they get up to speed,” Perry said.

Quoting the 15th and 16th verses of the second chapter of James in the Holy Bible, McLendon called upon local residents to remember the Christian tenet of charity:

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”

McLendon, who served as a minister for 29 years before becoming Volunteers of America’s vice president for community engagement, said the church has historically displayed an on-again, off-again commitment to serving those without, but recent statistics indicate that ministry is being neglected once again.

“There remains a clear call for people of the Christian faith to open their hearts, hands and pocket books to those in need,” McLendon said, citing U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Agriculture figures indicating 49 million people were living in poverty as recently as 2008.

“Since 2008, we have entered into the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, and here along the Coast, many of our neighbors have lost income, jobs, and their financial and physical security due to the oil spill. The result is there are many who are in need of food.  Saying to them, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but doing nothing about the physical need is not only cruel, it denies the faith many of us claim,” McLendon said.

Above all, McLendon said solving the problem is “essential because the damage is so great.”

A few of the examples he cited are as follows:

A counterproductive problem

McLendon said any logic seeking to divide physical and spiritual ministry is flawed.

 “What all this comes down to is that hunger is not only unnecessary in our wealthy nation but vastly counterproductive to our nation’s goals, and it degrades our Christian witness,” he said.

The Eastern Shore Art Center is at 401 Oak St. in Fairhope. For more information, call 928-2228 or visit www.esartcenter.com. 

Coming in Oct. 22’s The Bulletin and Spanish Fort Sun: A closer look at the impact ‘About Hunger and Resilience’ is having on area children.