Food bank truck stolen; hundreds of families affected

SULTAN, Wash. -- A Snohomish County food bank is desperate for help after someone stole its delivery truck.

People at the Sultan Food Bank are now scrambling to figure out how to deliver food and baby supplies to more than 1,000 needy people.

The director of the charity said the facility has repeatedly been the target of thieves for several months.  But this time the crooks stole their box truck and a laptop – and now the charity worries that some families may have to go without.

“Our food bank manager reported to work this morning and asked if I had taken the truck,” said director Calei Vaughn. “The answer was no.”

Someone bypassed a chain link fence and stole the Sultan Food Bank’s box truck Tuesday night. Vaughn said she filed a report with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

“Right now we’re scrambling to try and figure out how we’re going to pick up food tomorrow, and Friday, and the week after that and the week after that,” said Vaughn.

Vaughn added that the thief also broke into the building and stole a computer.

Young mother Amanda Stecher said her family depends on the food and supplies from the Sultan Food Bank.

"We won’t have extra money for gas, we’ll have to spend it on food,” she said. “This is where we get our Baby Wipes, our diapers, everything."

“It’s just a sad state when someone would target a charity for theft,” Vaughn said.

The food bank uses the truck to deliver supplies to more than 400 households in the Sky Valley, according to Vaughn. She said Tuesday’s theft was the third burglary in the past six months.

Families in the tight-knit community depend on the lifeline – but for now many families will have to decide between buying food and paying bills.

“At the end of the day, you taking this truck means we won’t be able to bring any food here,” said Vaughn.

Vaughn said the public could help by volunteering to deliver food and supplies. She asked anyone that can help to call (360) 793-8609.