AUBURN – The Good Shepherd Food Bank, one of Maine’s largest charities, appealed Wednesday for the return of its new snow plow, which was stolen from its lot as Thanksgiving approached and much of the state was getting its first snow of the season.

Thieves on Tuesday night took the Meyers plow that was being stored on pallets at the charity’s warehouse in Auburn. Also stolen were pumps and attachments from the food bank’s dump truck.

The food bank’s JoAn Chartier said the 10-foot plow was just purchased last January and would have paid for itself within a winter’s season. Good Shepherd officials say it would have taken several strong men or someone with a boom truck to lift the plow.

“It was going to pay for itself in two months,” said Chartier, adding that it costs $250 to $300 each time its lot is plowed after a snowstorm. Last January alone, Good Shepherd paid $2,200 in snow removal fees.

Paul Tarr, operations manager for the food bank, issued a plea for the return of the plow. He said that with Thanksgiving arriving, the charity needs to focus on feeding the hungry.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the food bank or call the Auburn police.

Good Shepherd last year distributed more than 9 million pounds of food to pantries and soup kitchens in Maine.