ATLANTA — A local food bank is asking for donations after they say thieves stole a compressor from their refrigeration units.

The Grocery Spot in Atlanta opened on Charlotte Place in 2022 to help bring healthy foods to an area that is considered a food desert.

Patricia Ward, a volunteer and client, also known as Ms. Pat lives in the neighborhood.

“Without the grocery spot, a lot of us would not survive,” said Ward.

She said she has health issues and the store helps her.

“I have health issues. I get total disability, and the grocery spot helps me survive. We’re what you call a food desert,” said Ward.

The volunteers restock shelves Monday through Friday and hand out free groceries and household items until they run out each day.

In all, they serve about one thousand people a week.

Until recently, this store operated solely off of donor funds. The store was able to purchase two new refrigerators from grant money that they had received. Surveillance video shows two people pulling up in a van and taking off with the compressor for those units.

The non-profit is asking for donations on their website so that they can continue to provide groceries to the community.