Couple accidentally donates fake can of soup used to hide $2,500

Sometimes being generous can cost you a pretty penny.

A Massachusetts couple accidentally donated a fake can of soup they used to hide thousands of dollars.

Amanda Mattuchio told WFXT-TV in Boston her parents had $2,500 in bills of $50 and $100 in the fake Campbell’s Tomato Soup tucked in their cabinet along with other real cans of soup.

Her parents cleared out their cabinet after a neighbor asked if they wanted to donate canned goods to a local senior center. They noticed their money was missing weeks later.

Amanda Mattuchio's parents accidentally sent their savings in a soup can donation. (BOSTON 25)

“When they went to put some more money into the can, they realized it had been put in with the donations,” the daughter said. “It was kind of devastating.”

The donations ended up at the Middleton Food Pantry, which Frank Leary runs. He told the station the pantry receives hundreds of canned soups a week.

“That amount of money is a terrible, terrible loss for anyone,” Leary said. “That Campbell tomato soup is sitting in someone’s cabinet right now and they don't even know it.”

The donations ended up Middleton Food Pantry in Massachusetts. (JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES)

Now, Mattuchio is urging anyone who went to the food pantry to check their cabinets.

“I just hope whoever did find the money,” she said. “If it has been found that they see this and they find it in their heart to return it.”

The Middleton police have helped the family try to retrieve the can, and Leary said he’ll keep an eye out if the can shows up.

Meanwhile, Mattuchio said if the can isn’t returned, she hopes the money would help whoever has it.

- ny news