Break-In At Tinley Food Pantry: 'It Did Not Break Our Spirits'

TINLEY PARK, IL — An attempted break-in at a Tinley Park agency that serves people in financial crisis and people who are homeless has become an object lesson of community and of hope.

Early Sunday morning on August 18, someone tried to break into Together We Hope, a south suburban social services agency. The person broke through the glass window to reach in and open the door. The window is reinforced with wire, explained Mandi Williams, the nonprofit's marketing and fundraising manager, so whoever tried to get in used an object like a hammer and picked away until the hole was big enough to enter.

When the person reached in, the alarm went off. The suspect fled. Nothing was taken from Together We Cope.

The incident shocked staff and area residents. Together We Cope gives 5,000 families from 27 surrounding villages non-perishable food each month. It offers services and aid to prevent homelessness. It works to get people off the streets. It also operates on razor-thin budgets with 30 staff members and 200 volunteers.

Who would steal from or even vandalize a place that gives free food and services to people who need them?

The community was so moved that two local businesses stepped up to help, Williams said. One has offered to pay for the replacement of the expensive, specialized window. A second has offered to install security cameras on the premises. Those plans are in the works, she added.

"We are still a safe haven," she said. "Just because someone tried to break in doesn't take away anything from before. We are still our clients' home and safe place to go to," she said.

Those who would like to help can visit Together We Hope's website to learn more.