A few weeks ago in Rockland, someone stole money that had been brought in to Area Interfaith Outreach food pantry as a donation. It was cash that had been collected at a party for patrons of Thorndike Creamery as it was going out of business, all of it designated for AIO, more than $2,000.

This is terribly sad. The loss of the money is significant. It could have bought a lot of food or heat or electricity for some of the Knox County families we serve (more than 5,000 last year). But what is most heartbreaking is that someone did this. We think better of people and someone betrayed that trust.

We are working with the Rockland police. We feel we must proceed with the investigation both to fulfill our obligations to our supporters and to send a message to the perpetrator, formally accused or not.

AIO almost never has money at the pantry. The help we give our clients is through vouchers. Small cash donations sometimes walk in when we're open but never large amounts. Except this time. Nothing has ever been stolen before, but now that it has, we have adjusted our procedures so that it cannot happen again.

The people who come to us for help impress us all the time with their dignity and resilience and their gratitude for what we give them on behalf of this community. And the people who volunteer their time and energy show by their respect and good cheer that AIO is truly about "neighbors helping neighbors," a place to come in hard times where people show that they care about you. All that is blessing. We will get past this.

Sherry Cobb is president of the board of directors, Area Interfaith Outreach