N.J. Pastor Takes on FedEx Over Alleged Overcharging in Charitable Shipment Dispute
N.J. Pastor Accuses FedEx of Overcharging on Charitable Shipment
In Hoboken, New Jersey, a local pastor says what began as a simple act of generosity turned into a months-long battle with one of the world’s largest delivery companies. The Rev. Alex Santora of The Church of Our Lady of Grace claims FedEx hit his parish with excessive charges after the church shipped donated sheet music and hymnals to rural congregations in need.
The situation began in January when a FedEx truck arrived at the church’s garage to collect 13 boxes filled with hymnals and sheet music. The items were being sent to an organization that redistributes such resources to small, struggling churches in remote areas across the country. For Santora, it was a meaningful way to support ministries that lack access to worship materials.
But soon after the shipment was sent, Santora says an unexpected bill arrived — one that didn’t match what the church believed they had agreed to pay. According to the pastor, the charges were far higher than what was initially quoted, making him feel that FedEx had taken advantage of the church’s good intentions.
Pastor Says It Felt Like “Extortion”
Santora didn’t mince words in describing his frustration. He accused FedEx of “lying” about the costs and attempting to “extort” money from a small parish simply trying to help others. He insists the church acted in good faith, relying on the company’s quoted rate to budget for the donation shipment.
“It’s not about the money alone — it’s about principle,” Santora explained. “When you work with a large company, you expect them to honor their word, not take advantage of a church trying to do good.”
Taking the Fight Public
Rather than quietly paying the disputed bill, Santora decided to push back. He called FedEx many times to ask for an explanation and a fix. When those talks didn’t work, he started telling the tale more widely in the hopes of holding the firm accountable.
The pastor’s position has gotten a lot of attention in Hoboken and among other small groups that rely on shipping businesses to help them with their philanthropic work. A lot of his supporters think that his experience shows how big businesses have more power than small NGOs in the community.
FedEx’s Answer
FedEx hasn’t made a detailed public comment about the issue, but the corporation says its billing procedures are correct and that problems may be rectified through its regular customer service routine. Santora, on the other hand, thinks that the process has been sluggish, complex, and ultimately not helpful in solving the problem.
A Broader Issue for Small Charities
This event shows how hard it is for many small NGOs to deliver donated commodities to those who need them. Shipping costs can be a big problem for charities, especially when they have to pay for things they didn’t expect. Santora says he wants his dispute with FedEx to make people more aware of how important it is for NGOs that use delivery services to have clear and reasonable prices.
“This isn’t just about our parish,” he said. “If they can do this to us, they can do it to any small charity out there.”
For now, the Hoboken pastor is still pressing FedEx for a resolution — and he says he’s determined not to let the matter drop until the company takes responsibility.
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