TACOMA, Wash. — St. Leo Food Connection is a lifeline for thousands of families in Pierce County. But this week, a Tacoma food bank became a target for criminals. Twice.
A food bank van was stolen on Tuesday. Surveillance video shows a pickup truck pull up next to the van, enter the van, and then drive away.
The very next night, criminals targeted the food bank again. They destroyed another van, rendering it inoperable. St. Leo's fleet of four trucks was cut in half in two days.
“It's really unfortunate that you would do that to a show that is meant to help people,” said Dawn Whitman, director of St. Leo Food Connection. She began working as a volunteer at St. Her Leo in 1988.
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The trucks are also used to pick up donations for food banks and make deliveries to people in need.
She believes the city's current food crisis is the worst she's ever seen.
“Our numbers are going up. We serve 250 to 300 families every day. It feels like we're going up a little bit every day,” Whitman says.
On Friday, the food bank had some empty shelves. Whitman said he has had to cancel some of his donation pickups because of the events of this week.
Whitman worries that the actions of these criminals will result in some families in Tacoma going without food this weekend. Currently, she said, she is competing to purchase and repair two trucks. But it also comes at a price.
“A significant portion of the budget will be spent on food purchases. Again, that will impact the amount of food we have to distribute,” Whitman said.
She urges the community to actively support Saint Leo. She told KIRO 7 they are always in need of volunteers and monetary donations. They are also looking for volunteers with trucks to help delivery staff pick up items.