Thieves target B.C. food bank’s truck wheels

Greater Vancouver Food Bank staff were shocked when they found two front wheels missing from their 5-ton reefer delivery truck parked near their Burnaby, B.C., warehouse.

“You try to picture somebody doing that in the middle of the night to a food bank truck, it just still blows my mind,” the food bank’s chief operating officer Cynthia Boulter said of the theft that was discovered on Tuesday morning after the August long weekend.

Some trucks are parked overnight in the food bank’s lot and some on the street. Boulter told TruckNews.com that trucks were parked further down the street due to ongoing construction in front of the facility.

“They left the lug nuts on the street. Our fleet manager felt the thieves targeted the aluminium rims,” Boulter said.

The food bank was looking at a $2,700 bill to replace the stolen rims and tires, plus an insurance deductible.

The vehicle makes about four stops every day to deliver and pick up food for the needy. It was inoperable for a couple of days. Other vehicles were deployed, and food was delivered, although a little late.

Each month, the organization provides healthy food to around 15,000 individuals and families in need and 150 community agency partners across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore.

Good Samaritan pays for replacement

Thankfully, a Good Samaritan stepped in. After seeing the story on CTV News, a local, family-owned business – Bee-Clean Building Maintenance – offered to cover the cost of replacing the tires.

“We were just overwhelmed. It was such a great feeling particularly after what it feels like to have this happen. And it was just so generous,” Boulter said of the offer to help.

The food bank is now taking steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. As many trucks as possible will be parked on the facility’s lot and extra security will be provided on weekends and holidays. Locking lug nuts will also be installed on all truck wheels.