Pantry burglars take food, phone

With little more than a few cases of food and an old telephone to offer, it's hard to imagine why someone robbed Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries this week, said executive director Vernita Webb.

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Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff

Henry Livingston, of R.B. Wright Construction, removes the door that was busted during a burglary at the Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries on New Year's Eve in Augusta.

"They know we don't have anything," Ms. Webb said. "They know it's not much food and no valuables."

The agency, at 303 Hale St., provides food to needy individuals five days a week. About 200 people receive food from the ministry each week.

The culprits got away with a telephone and a radio, Ms. Webb said.

Volunteers also found bags sprawled across the floor, two doors kicked in and eight cases of food stolen Wednesday morning, Ms. Webb said. The agency has been robbed three times in the past 10 years.

"The only thing they got last time was a CD player. They got $25 for it," she said. "They just did this to destroy it, looks like."

Fifteen area churches donate foods and funds to the organization, Ms. Webb said. The door alone will cost about $1,000, Ms. Webb said.

"Our finances are always strained," said Ellis Rece , the president of the board of directors. "It makes you angry, because this was just vandalism, pure and simple."

Despite the broken doors and cold weather, families continued to visit the agency Thursday morning.

Volunteer Anna Mae Williams said she hopes the latest incident will not affect those in need.

"Sometimes they're really in need and they have no help," Ms. Williams said. "They come in with a hug and a handshake. They're so grateful for this."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.

RAINIER EHRHARDT/STAFF