Food pantry works to fill shelves after break-ins

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Once each week, a crowd gathers at the Haverhill Baptist Church food pantry to take home donations.

Dave Bamford is among them, he travels by bicycle. 

"It really makes a big difference, just having the bread and the canned goods to keep you going," he said.

At Haverhill, Bamford has discovered food and fellowship.  He has been coming by for assistance ever since he lost his construction job two years ago.

"I don't feel comfortable coming in to church in the morning looking like this you know, so I get to come here and not be self-conscious of the situation I'm in," he said.

Larry James also comes to Haverhill for help, bringing his friends and neighbors items they need from the food pantry.

"It's been a great help, I live in a senior citizen complex and there are some that are shut-ins," he said.

Recipients of generosity, the patrons of the pantry do not understand the two recent break-ins.  The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says the most recent was on Thanksgiving day.  A lock was broken from the outside and a cooler, forty pounds of chicken and many canned goods were taken.

"I can't comprehend it," said Bamford.

Pastor Chris Hudson from Haverhill Baptist Church said, "More than anything it just kind of discourages people who operate the food pantry, and those who come, it's just kind of disheartening."

Continued donations have kept the pantry going as they work to feed four- to five-hundred people each week. 

To contact the Haverhill Baptist Church and offer donations, or to learn more about the food pantry, call 561-683-1803.