Boston Police recover stolen food pantry van

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

Dozens of people called to offer donations or simply dropped off bags of food this morning at the Twelfth Baptist Church after hearing that someone had stolen a van full of food destined for the church food pantry. Then came more good news: the van had been found.

“We’re ecstatic,” said Clara Bell, assistant to the minister at the Roxbury church. “It’s going to require some repair work, but we’re very happy that it’s been returned.” She said a "substantial amount" of the food was still in the 2007 Ford van.

The vehicle, which contained about 1,100 pounds of food, was left in the church parking lot at about 10 p.m. Friday. Church officials discovered at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday that it was gone, police said.

The van was found yesterday afternoon behind the Strand Theatre in Dorchester after police were alerted by "a vigilant community member" who recognized it as a result of media reports on the theft, said Elaine Driscoll, a police spokeswoman. She said the case was "particularly troubling and we are pleased that there was a successful outcome."

Every Tuesday, the church's food pantry offers people bags that contain enough food for three meals a day for three days. About 200 people have been showing up recently, up from 140 to 150 last month. No one is turned away, Bell said.

Bell said the outpouring of support for the church after the theft was publicized "really was unbelievable."

"This was community. People coming together to help other people. It was just wonderful,” she said, estimating that 50 people had called or visited the shelter by midafternoon. “I can’t tell you how grateful and overwhelmed we were. And just the phone calls today -- the phone has been jumping all day with offers of help.”

“We’ve just been truly blessed. I don’t know what else I can say. It was a miracle,” she said. “That just shows that people are really concerned about those who are less fortunate.”

Officials were worried that they wouldn't have enough food today, but the Greater Boston Food Bank, which is one of several sources for the food that the pantry gives away, stepped up its contribution, Bell said.

She said she hoped the thieves, who were still at large tonight, would put the food they had stolen to good use -- use it to feed someone, rather than throw it out.

Bell said she was distressed, rather than angry, when she learned somebody had stolen the van.

“We were saddened that it was stolen because, like I said, anybody can come and get food,” she said. "I suspect somebody needed money. ... These are desperate times. Desperate times make for desperate people."

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