An apparent break-in this week resulted in the theft of about $400 in food from the Southern Appalachian Labor School’s Historic Oak Hill School food pantry, officials reported.

Barbara Painter, the SALS food coordinator, reported that the break-in occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 28. She said an inventory by SALS representatives determined that two turkeys, a case of whole chickens and 10 cases of food, including canned goods and peanut butter, were missing from the pantry’s storage room.

Painter said representatives noticed the door to the USDA room was standing open, when previously it had been closed and locked. A window had been pried open and there were footprints along the window sill and across the freezer, she noted.

Painter said pantry officials haven’t encountered a similar problem in Oak Hill in the past, and she added that there were no apparent problems in other parts of the building upon inspection this week.

She said the Oak Hill Police Department is investigating the theft.

The break-in came ahead of the pantry’s monthly food distribution scheduled for this Friday, but it will not affect the ability to have enough food on hand to distribute this week, according to Painter.

“The cutbacks in food programs and the high cost of nutritious food have left many people hungry, malnourished and desperate,” said Dr. John David, the SALS volunteer director. “With the added rising costs of utilities and shelter, a survival crisis is occurring in our area.”

“They call it food insecurity, and there’s a lot of it out there,” said Painter. “It’s very sad that this happened.

“All people have to do is call (to arrange help with food). This (theft) hurts other low-income families.”

The Historic Oak Hill School food pantry can be reached at 304-465-4246.

Painter added that SALS accepts financial donations to support the services it offers to the community.

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