MEXICO, NY (WSYR-TV) — The Mexico Food Pantry helps feed hundreds of families every month, but someone stole food from the pantry’s drop box, which allows community members to donate items 24/7.

The food pantry gives 21 meals of free supplemental food every month to any person or family within the Mexico School District. Food is also available to anyone in need of emergency food.

Martha Sturtz has been the pantry coordinator for the last 12 years. She said the drop box was stocked with donations on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

However, when she arrived at the pantry on Sunday morning, she found the door wide open and many of the items were gone. Some of the food even had to be thrown out because it was exposed to bad weather.

“We give food to whoever asks. It’s not a problem, so I don’t know why they would do that.”

MARTHA STURTZ, COORDINATOR, MEXICO FOOD PANTRY

The Oswego County Sheriff’s Office has looked into who’s responsible for taking the food, but the act is not considered a break-in because the drop box is unlocked at all times. Sturtz and the other volunteers are looking into ways to secure donations moving forward.

Thankfully, there was no damage to the food pantry’s main building. Some of the donations from the community have already been restocked.

It’s disappointing, but we’ll get by and people will step forward. they already have. I’ve had people give us cash donations. I just had somebody call