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After theft, New Bedford food pantry sees outpouring of support

Joel Cosmo, sexton at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in New Bedford, loaded turkeys at the church Monday.Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff/Globe staff

At least 1,000 pounds of food, including more than 60 turkeys, have been donated to a New Bedford church after its food pantry was robbed in mid-November, officials said.

“The community has really come together,” said Joel Cosmo, a spokesman for Saint Anthony of Padua Church.

Twenty turkeys and 300 pounds of food were taken from the food pantry sometime overnight on Nov. 15, Cosmo said. The thieves also broke the industrial cooler that perishables were stored in, as well as damaged other boxes of food, he said.

Last week the church had to hand out chickens to some families due to the shortage of turkeys, Cosmo said. The pantry typically feeds 300 families a week, he said. “It was a big hit for us,” said Cosmo.

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But since the robbery, Cosmo said, donations of food have flowed in. The church has also received monetary donations that will help replace the damaged cooler. And a tech-savvy good Samaritan set up a donation website for the church.

“It’s a great feeling to have the community’s support,” said Cosmo, noting that one of the church’s biggest priorities is feeding those in need.

The church is installing a $4,000 security fence in order to prevent future break-ins. They may also look into security cameras, Cosmo said.


Melissa Hanson can be reached at melissa.hanson@globe.com or on Twitter @Melissa __Hanson