SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The first day of fall is less than two weeks away, which means it’s time for fall cleaning. And residents who need to clear out the kitchen closet can send unneeded items to Prodisee Pantry.

September is Hunger Action Month — a national movement to help fight hunger in America — when food banks across the nation collect items to restock their shelves.

There are still a few weeks left this month to aid in efforts. Prodisee desperately needs nonperishable foods such as cereal and breakfast items, as well as canned meats, soups, stews and canned fruits, Deann Servos, executive director at the pantry, said.

The Prodisee Pantry — located at the intersection of highways 31 and 98 — provides food to families in need within Baldwin County. With the cost of everything on the rise, many can’t make ends meet, meaning more people may come to the pantry to get food for their families.

“Little bits at a time really add up,” Servos said. “We appreciate everything.”

Ninety-five families come to the pantry each week this year; last year’s average was about 60 families. More than 11,000 families have received food from the pantry since its inception in 2003, she said.

The faith-based organization provides food to Baldwin County in emergency situations like hurricanes. It provided relief to residents during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The organization already has 150 emergency food buckets ready to send to families in need after a natural disaster.

The pantry also has food pallets ready to go to Baldwin County shelters when needed. More than 16,000 emergency food boxes were sent out with $20 million in relief supplies throughout the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina three years ago, according to prodiseepantry.org, the organization’s official Web site.

“The shelves are half as full as they were at this time last year,” Servos said. “We are seeing a 52-percent increase in families in need of food this year.”

The pantry provides food for the unemployed, single moms, underemployed households and the homeless because it considers these situations an emergency, the release said.

For one or two people, the cost of food at the pantry is about $9.50 versus the $35.83 it would cost at the grocery store for a week’s supply of food. Families of five or more could spend $61.05 at the grocery store, but only $16.74 at the pantry for food for a week.

“Cash donations are also accepted and allow us to buy food in bulk through Feeding America and the Bay Area Food Bank,” Servos said.

The pantry has been in operation since November 2003 as an outreach ministry for Spanish Fort United Methodist Church. Services are offered Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Gathering Place in the Prodisee Shopping Center at the intersection of highways 31 and 98.

Drop-off arrangements can be made by calling Prodisee Pantry at 626-1720. Food can also be dropped off at the Spanish Fort United Methodist Church lobby — located at 6530 Spanish Fort Blvd. — from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays.