Documenting Hunger

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