Economic times are tough, but Pastor David Gingerich didn’t think thieves would actually take from the church. He was wrong.

Sometime between Sunday, August 14 when the doors were closed after services at the Cross Plains Baptist Church until Wednesday, August 17 when they were back in the church, someone or ones had broken into the food pantry.

According to Pastor Gingerich, there were several hundred dollars worth of food and commodity items stolen including a variety of paper products, meat from the freezer, and other food items.

The pastor is asking other churches, individuals, businesses or organizations to help them replenish their pantry, which was fully stocked at the time of the robbery. He noted that so many people are in need and this criminal act has hurt the people who need it the most.

If you can donate to the pantry, contact the pastor at 812-667-4962 or pantry volunteer Ann at 812-667-1044. You can send monetary donations to the Cross Plains Baptist Church, PO Box 52, Cross Plains, IN 47017.

Pastor Gingerich told The Versailles Republican that if the person or persons involved in the robbery would have just come to them, they (the food pantry) would have helped with their needs. “There was no need to steal,” he concluded.

The initial idea of the food pantry was to help people who possibly get food stamps who can’t afford to purchase paper and cleaning products. It has grown to include food items to meet the needs in the area.

The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. If you have any information regarding the robbery, please contact Sheriff Tom Grills at 812-689-5555 or 689-5558.