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A nonprofit is set to celebrate 20 years of filling plates in Baldwin County, and the public is invited to share the story with the next generation of helpers.

Prodisee Pantry's Fill the Plate luncheon will be on Thursday, April 20, at 11:30 a.m. at the nonprofit's headquarters, 9315 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort. Since 2003, the nonprofit has seen 202,500 families seeking assistance with the most basic needs: food and hope.

"Volunteers distributed 595 tons of groceries last year, but we are so much more than a box of groceries. We listen, encourage and connect families with other services that can lift from poverty to self-sufficiency," said Deann Servos, executive director.

You may start noticing 20th anniversary green plates popping up across Baldwin County at banks, churches, businesses, small groups, civic clubs, etc. Each plate has a value of about $100.

"One nickel, $1, $10 or $100 at a time, the community will 'fill that plate' of our neighbors in need," the nonprofit said in a news release.

Servos said members of the public are asked to donate what they can when they see the green plates. It's simple to give. Just scan the QR code on the plate. For so many, healthy and fresh fruits and vegetables are a luxury. For pennies on the dollar, Prodisee Pantry can provide a family with these nutritious options from local farmers.

"The image of who is hungry in most people's minds isn't who Prodisee Pantry sees," the release said. "Over the past 20 years, our volunteers often recognize themselves in the faces of the 507,000 individuals who have eaten food provided by Prodisee Pantry.

"The hungry include the elderly woman sitting next to you at church, the single mom with two kids at the grocery store buying milk, your neighbor or a co-worker."

In 2022, 9,731 times, families visited Prodisee Pantry. They are struggling financially due to job loss or low wages, medical expenses, natural disasters and other crises.

It costs just $35 to provide a family with 100-plus pounds of groceries. But, Prodisee Pantry is more than just a box of groceries to these families. Each family receives fresh produce, meats, bread, staple grocery items and onsite access to dozens of other supportive programs.

Volunteers can plug a family into onsite representatives for free legal services, SNAP (food stamps), counseling, employers, budget help, medical and dental assistance, job readiness classes and so much more.