SPANISH FORT, Ala.—As Prodisee Pantry struggles to meet the expanding demands of a service area rocked by recession and mounting financial hardships, officials are hopeful a praise concert slated for Sunday, May 3 might open hearts—and pocketbooks—to the needs of silently suffering neighbors.

“We’re seeing people come through our doors every week from every single neighborhood and every income level. Baldwin County is not recession proof, and we’re seeing proof of that every day,” said Deann Servos, executive director of the nonprofit community emergency food and disaster relief organization in Spanish Fort.

Featured recently in both the “Wall Street Journal” and “Family Circle,” Prodisee Pantry served 600 families in March, or almost three times its volume for the same period one year ago.

Servos said she is bracing for the summer months when she expects the number of families served to skyrocket to as many as 800 per month once schools adjourn for the break and children are no longer entitled to the federal free and reduced lunch programs.

“A lot of what we’re seeing is people who literally feel like they woke up one morning and found themselves in this unfortunate position, and they don’t have any idea where to begin seeking services. We’re trying to not only bridge that gap and get their needs met but also hold their hands along the way and let them know they’re not in this alone,” Servos said.

Enter HOPE.

Helping Ordinary People Everyday, featuring singer/songwriter and Eastern Shore native son Mark Harris, is a praise concert at the Daphne Civic Center designed to fight hunger and despair at the same time through music and fellowship in such trying times. Admission to the show is a $5 donation and a can of food, but Servos is encouraging any and all attendees to dig deep and help support the coinciding “Pack a Penske for the Pantry” promotion.

The recent run on services, she said, means the pantry is no longer able to stockpile items the way it has historically done, so every little bit helps.

“We refill these shelves every week, and we’re depleting them as fast as we get them stocked,” she said.

Indeed, Servos said the entire demographic of the families seeking assistance from the pantry has shifted to include people who never thought they would ever need to inquire about services.

“We’re seeing people who have always been involved in serving their communities, and some of them have even organized food drives in the past, so coming to us is a very difficult step for them,” she said, adding that many clients keep finding themselves in tighter and tighter spots.

“Whether they lost their jobs outright or just had their hours cut, people in our community just aren’t making ends meet. A lot of them are barely hanging onto their homes, and so many are doing whatever they can to maintain,” Servos said.

That’s also why—from trouble paying utility bills to prescription coverage—the organization functions as a referral agency of sorts, helping to put people in touch with the right agency or group no matter what their needs.

“These are hard-working, good folks who can’t afford to lose 10 hours of pay, but it’s better than losing their jobs, and we just hope we can help them bridge the gap until we all see a little recovery,” Servos said.

And without the army of as many as 50 volunteers per week—centered around a core group of about 15—Servos said the organization’s mission would never be realized.

Volunteer Howard Green said although the pantry is affiliated with Spanish Fort United Methodist Church, he never had any qualms about taking up the cause that seems to affect so many these days across the community.

“All of the churches in this area support this ministry, and we’re just happy we can lend a hand,” Green, a Baptist, said.

His wife, Sue Green, said the pair participated heavily with a similar organization before relocating from Dothan, Ala., and purposefully sought this particular volunteer outlet.

“We knew we wanted to do the same kind of work,” she said, sorting boxes of cheese crackers and packages of rice during a recent work day. “It’s just a way to come together and serve together.”