Documenting Hunger

Spanish Fort Documentary A San Antonio Texas man is traveling the country to document hunger in America.

by Rose Ann Haven

Published: Wed, July 08, 2009 - 8:10 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, July 08, 2009 - 8:18 pm CST

Through the lens of a civil war era camera, Michael Nye focuses on a subject that often goes ignored.
Today, he met up with Latunga Childers, mother of three at the Prodisee Pantry in Spanish Fort. Childers recently lost her job and says she went through a bad divorce. But, the Prodisee Pantry loads her up with groceries. "It has truly been a great help to me and my children. It has fed us when we didn't have anything to eat", says Childers.

Nye says,
"There's such a misconception in this country that people that go hungry are lazy, are they did it to themselves. It's something that they did. But, the stories that I'm hearing are from people who have cancer or have heart disease who don't have a safety net, there's mental illness. There are the elderly. There are children that have no choice at all."

Nye hopes his documentary, already four years in the making, raises awareness, and helps those who are feeding the hungry.

"We are hoping that through this art project that families will be served, that they will realize that they can help their neighbors..that folks in Baldwin County and across the country can reach out and help their neighbor", says Deann Servos of Prodisee Pantry.

Nye says,
"I think the health of every community is not only growth and innovation, leadership. But, it's also how we take care of people that need our help and care and attention.

As for Childers,
"I'm just very thankful that God has put people here to you know to take time out to care for other people".

Childer's story is also making national headlines.
The Wall Street Journal featured her today as someone feeling the effects of Alabama rejecting the President's stimulus package for the unemployed.
For more information on how you can help our neighbors, like Childers go to www.prodiseepantry.org

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plbgraham Says:

Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 8:08 pm

Has anyone checked t see if Ms. Childer’s is on food stamps? I have seen her at the grocery store with not only one cart but with two. I have seen peole take advantage of the “free” system and lie about their situations. I have a brother that has cancer and can’t even get Food Stamps.He had a well paying job that he had worked for 16 years before he developed cancer. He is now on disability because of the seven surgeries that he has had in the past five years. When he does get his disability check it has to go toward his cancer insurance premium because this is alife long deal, therefore he realy has no income and can’t get food stamps because they consider his cancer premiums his income. There are people who are in worst shape than this woman.

PastorLonnie Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:46 am

KxVivious, as Mr. Nye stated above, “...the stories that I’m hearing are from people who have cancer or have heart disease who don’t have a safety net, there’s mental illness. There are the elderly. There are children that have no choice at all.”

I’ve volunteered at the Prodisee Pantry for nearly 3 years now. I can tell you that it is NOT always ‘laziness that can make you hungry.’ My family has had to rely on the Pantry in the past due to the fact that I developed Stage IV oropharyngeal cancer in 2007 and couldn’t work for several months, my wife lost her job, we lost our insurance, and the world seemed to be spiraling out of control. Without the Pantry and Deann Servos’ kindness my kids and my wife would have went hungry. A friend of mine, who now volunteers at the Pantry, had a stroke in 2007 and has been given food from the Pantry.

So, while food stamps can help they only go so far (I know this personally and professionally). If YOU would like to see for yourself the people we help at the Prodisee Pantry, why not come on over to Spanish Fort and volunteer (I drive from Mobile). I do believe you’ll be surprised to find that the majority of people who visit us every Tuesday at 9 AM - 11 AM aren’t lazy at all—they simply need temporary help.

God bless!

Pastor Lonnie

FastFred Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 7:42 am

Don’t worry be happy,Obama just needs to spread the wealth some more,than as he makes those who would share with others “poor"the Gov. can feed us all.

KxVicious Says:

Thu, Jul 09, 2009 at 8:55 am

I’m on food stamps. It was super easy…you just have to wake up early in the morning. I don’t get much, but I get enough to help me when I can’t work as much during the school semester. Quite frankly, I think it IS only laziness that can make you hungry, because it’s not that hard to fill out the paperwork, and keep an appointment once every three months, ESPECIALLY if you’re not working!!!