Aug 7, 2008 7:14 pm US/Eastern
Thieves Target Food Pantries Amid Economic Trouble
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The Salvation Army's Waltham food pantry has been broken into several times in recent months, possibly another sign of tough economic times.
Salvation Army officials said the food pantry was broken into five times in July alone.
In each break-in, the culprits stole several bags of prepared food, including cereal and canned meat.
Salvation Army officials called the thefts tragic and reminded people that stealing in unnecessary.
"The Army's mission is to aid all those in need," said Salvation Army Corps Capt. Johnson Germaine. "The Waltham food pantry stands ready to help everyone who requests assistance. In these times, people are looking for food. We can help and we want to help. We encourage people to come in and speak with us."
Germaine said the culprits need more help than punishment.
"People are hungry," Germaine said. "It's a sign of the times. People are homeless (and) they need food."
"It made me really sad," said Salvation Army Advisory Board member Graeme Williams. "People have to be pretty desperate to break into a building and take food. It's pretty bad."
The Waltham food pantry is one of 29 Salvation Army pantry locations across the state.
Officials at the Waltham pantry serve an estimated 50 people a day with an additional 40 to 150 arriving for kitchen meals.
Officials said the number of people seeking assistance at the pantries soured last year.
The Waltham soup kitchen is open Monday through Friday, 9 to 10 a.m. for breakfast, and 11 a.m. to noon for lunch. To contact the pantry, call (781) 894-0413.
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