ATTLEBORO, Mass. — An Attleboro food pantry found themselves on the receiving end of the ‘Spirit of Giving’ after losing thousands of dollars of food.

Hebron Food Pantry President Heather Porreca said their off-site freezer at the Attleboro Elk Lodge lost power.

They learned about the devastating news Tuesday morning, and were forced to throw away what they had, including Thanksgiving turkeys.

Their station on Sanford Street welcomes more than 400 individuals and families weekly, with about 100 more closer to Thanksgiving.

“We were struggling getting turkeys anyway this year and then to have a catastrophic loss like that…My executive director and I were looking at each other, bawling our eyes out.” said Porreca.

“We’re like, we’re going to have to tell families that we don’t have what they need for their holiday celebration.”

The total loss was more than $5,000. But their sadness was short-lived, after their community stepped up in more ways than one.

The Attleboro Police Association, Attleboro Firefighter’s Union, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, and Empty Bowls Organization covered all of the cost to provide meals for families and replace the food pantry’s loss.

“All of our partners together have come forward, and it’s just a wonderful thing to see what our community can do when tragedy strikes,” said Porreca.

Porreca said their off-site freezers have been repaired, and thanks to the organizations and individual donors, they have enough food to distribute for Thanksgiving and the remaining holidays.

Hebron Food Pantry wants to remove the stigma of needing help.

They invite anyone who needs food to come by.

General distribution is on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Senior distribution is from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays.

To learn more about access and donations to Hebron Food Pantry, visit their website.