One Scrooge’s action last week has ended up being a blessing in disguise.

In this case, a Grinch tried to steal Thanksgiving — literally — by pilfering $200 from the Grove City Community Food Pantry that was going toward donations to buy turkeys for the needy.

On the scale of mean-spirited behavior, that ranks pretty high.

But the crook’s action spurred others to do the right thing, and since the burglary, the food pantry has collected about $5,000 — that’s 25 times the amount stolen — in donations from residents and businesses.

“Everyone wants to help, it seems,” said Traci Gerard, the pantry’s executive director.

This sentiment rings true not only at the pantry, but across the county.

Recent days have seen a number of charitable events at which county residents have gotten into the giving spirit.

An annual event at Butler Middle School that involves fifth- and sixth-grade students packing boxes of snacks to be sent to military personnel stationed overseas blew past previous years’ efforts. Last year, the school filled 200 boxes of snacks, but this year the students ran out of boxes, had to gather another batch and ended up sending out 328.

That event is not only great because it reminds soldiers stationed abroad that their service is appreciated during a time of year typically spent with family, but it also gets young people involved in charitable works at an early age.

On Saturday, members of the Marine Corps League, law enforcement personnel and Legion Riders stuffed police cruisers with gifts for children as part of an annual Toys for Tots campaign. Event organizers said they were surprised how many people donated to the campaign.

“We couldn’t do it without the community,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chad Krumpe, an event organizer.

It’s encouraging to see the community stepping up to help others.

While the thief who targeted the food pantry threatened to put a damper on the holiday for people who are already struggling, he was outnumbered by the generous people who donated to the pantry or any other number of events collecting toys, food or other items for the holidays.

This past weekend saw the release of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” a film centered on Fred Rogers — better known as Mister Rogers. Rogers once said, “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind, the second way is to be kind, the third way is to be kind.”

It’s good to see Butler County embodying that spirit.