WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. -- If you were given a rare and expensive gift would you give it back?

A small Wheat Ridge food bank, called the Carpenter's Cupboard, is considering just that with a rare Salvador Dali lithograph worth thousands.

The Carpenter's Cupboard has been in business since 1971. It's one of those businesses that gives so much, while asking for little in return.

"If we get milk or something like that we try to save it for a family with kids," said co-manager Bud Weidknecht, as crews unloaded a truck full of groceries.

"Well, this particular customer has eight in the family," said volunteer Al Guerin as he loaded a cardboard box full of groceries for a family that came in Wednesday.

"If it wasn't for this place, I wouldn't make it through the month because the only assistance I get is my Social Security," said Masedonia Mendoza.

"And we're not sponsored by anybody or any big organization. It's all individual donations," said Weidknecht.

The Carpenter's Cupboard feeds nearly 800 people every week, and with a sluggish economy, demand for their help is on the rise.

"I've found that about 36 percent of our families coming in are new, which is sort of scary," said co-manager Gretchen Weidknecht.

"People who come here should leave feeling better, not only because they have a box of groceries, but about themselves. They get a smile, they get some encouragement," Bud said.

Carpenter's Cupboard is sustained entirely by donations and recently, they picked up their most prized donation yet.

"This apparently is Salvador Dali's signature," said Bud.

Someone has donated an original limited-edition Salvador Dali lithograph.

"Well, it was mostly disbelief. It looked like the real thing, but we're not experts or anything," said Gretchen Weidknecht.

The donation came in an old, dusty, black leather artist's portfolio.

The Weidknechts first called a local expert to have it authenticated.

"And she said, 'I have a colleague who's the world's foremost expert in Salvador Dali. And I said, 'Well, where's that guy?' And so she said, 'He's in Santa Fe,'" Bud said.

So, the Weidknechts set out on a road trip to Santa Fe to meet Bernard Ewell.

"And the first thing he did as we walked in the place and he opened it, he sent all his employees away and said, 'Go wash your hands. This is the real thing,'" Bud said.

"It came in this old dirty case, and it was like polishing Aladdin's lamp," said Gretchen. "All of the sudden, here you have a diamond."

The problem is the Weidknechts aren't certain it was truly intended for them. So, even though it could pay the rent for months, they want to give it back.

"We know that this is worth several thousand dollars, but we also feel that the person who brought it to us probably didn't know that," said Gretchen. The Weidknechts aren't telling exactly how much the art is worth, fearing that pretenders might come forward trying to claim it.

"My theory is that a neighbor or relative passed away and someone cleaned out the house. And this was some stuff that was in the attic," said Bud.

The Weidknechts don't know who the donor is.

"She did bring in some other items, unusual things and she'll be able to tell us what they were and that's also how we will be able to identify her," said Gretchen.

The lithograph is a gift they would very much like to keep, but not until they're sure it's theirs.

"You're hoping of course that this person comes forward and?" 7NEWS reporter Russell Haythorn asked.

"Says you can have it!" laughed Gretchen.

"If we get to keep it, it will certainly pay the rent for a while and we would love for that to happen," said Bud. "You've seen what we do here, and that in itself is exciting, but this really gave it another dimension of excitement."

Legally, the Weidknechts are under no obligation to give it back. But they are perfectly prepared to return it if the donor comes forward.

"Our belief is, if you are going to live a faith-based life, you must live that faith in every aspect of your life, including business," said Gretchen. "We think this is the right thing to do."

Additional Resource: To learn more about Carpenter's Cupboard or to donate to the cause, go to The Carpenter’s Cupboard.