Nov 16, 2009 8:14 pm US/Eastern
Pantry Arson Ruins Holiday Plans For NY Families
Hope For The Future Ministries Devastated By Blaze Believed Intentionally Set
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
-
-
East Farmingdale firefighters tend to the fire that someone set inside the Hope for the Future Ministries food pantry on Nov. 15, 2009.
CBS
A heartless and fiery attack on a Long Island soup kitchen is jeopardizing Thanksgiving for hundreds of families in East Farmingdale.
Pastor Diane Dunne entered her now-boarded ministry, overwhelmed with sadness amid acrid smoke and spoiled food.
Suffolk County Police say an arsonist is on the loose, and detectives are gathering any DNA left behind, along with possible images caught on surveillance cameras, of criminals who may have torched the hunger relief charity early Sunday morning. The food pantry was filled with Thanksgiving turkeys and hundreds of gifts for the coming holidays.
"It's very raw. We don't know what to do," said Dunne.
Raw emotions turned to joy Monday as, out of the blue, total strangers began stopping by the headquarters of the Hope for the Future Ministries with contributions.
The generous support and love, now pouring out at the approach of the holidays, were staggering, especially to those who depend on the charity, like the Johnson family of Farmingdale.
"If you're low income people, she gave you nutritious food that would help you and she touched a lot of people's hearts," said pantry client Sharon Johnson.
Sharon and Ennis Johnson walked past the burned out Hope for the Future Ministries that they've depended on, wondering where they will find their next meal.
"It's not just me, but other people in the community that needed some hope, especially at this time of year," Ennis told CBS 2.
Pastor Dunne, who thinks a disgruntled former employee may be to blame, had promised 1,000 hot turkey dinners next week in her outreach program stretching from the city across Long Island.
"Whoever did this knew the layout of the building, knew where I stored my paper goods, so they knew exactly where to ignite the fire," Dunne said. "It was a vicious, cruel premeditated act."
With its tons of food and hundreds of holiday gifts, the pantry was under-insured and losses are mounting as Suffolk's arson squad hunts for the suspects who set the fire. Insurance won't cover all the donated goods that were destroyed.
If you'd like to help, you can send donations to:
Hope for the Future Ministries
131 Verdi St.
Farmingdale, NY, 11735
Or Call: (631) 752-5771
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
World's Most Useless Facts
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments