A Franklin County food pantry will remain open despite a devastating break-in. At a time when so many families are in need, someone stole 800 pounds of ground meat from the St. Thomas Food Pantry.
"We make sure nobody goes without food," said Sue Gipe as she stocked shelves with food. Sue helps run the food pantry along with her husband Paul. "We have been running it for the last year. Before that we volunteered here probably 14 to 15 years," said Sue.
The couple is still trying to understand why thieves targeted the pantry which helps feed people in need.
"The preacher called originally and said you know you need to come up here, the shed was broken into," said Sue as she described when she first found out what happened. The Gipes checked the freezers located in the shed and were shocked to discover someone had stolen 20- and 40-pound boxes of meat.
"I couldn't believe it. I was devastated," said Sue. "All I can say is if they needed it that bad we would have given them something."
Paul Gipe believes the thieves kicked in the shed door. "The whole door jam was just kicked out," said Paul.
The food pantry is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the first Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sue said they can serve up to 1,000 people a day or about 120-150 families.
State Police in Chambersburg are investigating the theft.
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With nowhere to go but forward the Gipes are looking at the silver lining in all of this.
"Yes it was a drawback but, you know, people know we're here now which before they didn't. I think we had six new families last week so that's a good thing," said Sue.
The pantry has received donations in response to the theft. "One gentleman offered us 500 pounds and upwards of ground beef. He is going to wrap it and deliver it to the church for us," said Paul.