Thieves made off with juice and snacks meant for needy kids after breaking into a food storage shed in Orange County this week, a nonprofit shelter and food pantry says.
Workers at Grandma's House of Hope in Santa Ana discovered on Wednesday morning a shed full of food was emptied after its lock busted open, according to a note on the House of Hope website.
Founder Je’net Kreitner spirit was broken when she walked into the sheds and found 40 boxes of what she called “the good stuff” missing.
"One person couldn't have done this on their own," she said.
Community members were dropping off food Friday to replace the estimated 1,500 pounds stolen by Wednesday morning. That food would have been packed into 5,600 meals for homeless children at an event Saturday.
The food included peanut butter, canned fruit and other items that are provided to over 200 needy Orange County children each month. The program, called Nana's Kidz, offers the food to kids who live in motels and received free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school on the days when the students don't go to class.
"Weekends and summers can be a fearful time for these students," the organization's website says.
U.S. & World
Despite the thieves actions, Kreitner had a caring message for them: "If you need help call us, let's do it the right way."
Grandma's House of Hope now doesn't have enough food to fill the bags, which are meant to last for up to 14 meals, for the needy children, the group says.
It's asking for donations of food and money to help pay for peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, canned stews and pasta, canned fruit and more.
Other Orange County food banks:
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
8014 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone : 949-653-2900
Web Site: http://www.feedoc.org/
Community Action Partnership of Orange County Food Bank
11870 Monarch St.
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Phone: (714) 897-6670
Web Site: http://ocfoodbank.org/
(Source: Orange County)
