Food bank van serves instant karma on would-be thieves while the community steps up to make things right.

Last month, on the 22, three thieves were captured on camera outside the Scott Safety Centre as they made their way over to the Food Bank, located at the Carlan Community Resource Centre, at the far end of the parking lot. They seemed most interested in the Whitecourt Food Bank van and spent some time checking it out. Then, they left. Three hours later, they returned. “They stole what they thought was the catalytic converter but what they actually stole was the wrong part which is useless,” chuckled food bank manager Lori Coffey.

Seeing the humour in instant karma brings her a laugh now, but back on March 22, when she got the call that her brand new van, one she worked endlessly to get, was vandalized, brought out hurt emotions and anger. “Who does that to a food bank? Obviously, they should never do that to anyone, but doing that to a food bank? I’m thankful that the town has surveillance up here and that they caught the perpetrators on camera.”

Coffey said the footage was immediately turned over to the police. That’s when she learned that the Whitecourt Food Bank was not the only victim that weekend. Approximately 30 catalytic converters were stolen as the crew slithered through town. “It was organized crime. Lots of people have been dealing with this,” said Coffey. It not being a personal attack, and rather a crime of opportunity, since the food bank is close to the highway, brought her some comfort.

The fact that the thieves made way without the part they so desperately wanted, desperate enough that they would go after a vehicle used to help so many, gave Coffey some peace. But, unfortunately, the news got even worse. To fix the van, Coffey would need to pay the insurance deductible. Since the food bank is community supported, and all resources go to support the program, finding money to put towards a deductible was as close to impossible as it gets. That’s when this story goes from dark to light.

Susan King from NAPA Auto Parts caught wind of the theft and immediately offered to provide the parts. “I just think that someone doing that to any non-profit organization is wrong. They shouldn’t do it to anyone! I understand that the Whitecourt Food Bank serves our community, and we have such a fabulous community here. I wanted to help them out,” said King.

From there, Darren Haug from MyAx Automotive Repairs and Services offered to put the new parts on. “I heard about it, and I wanted to help. The food bank does not make money, so it’s probably hard to spend money on stuff that they shouldn’t have to spend money on in the first place. We help out the way we can, and this was something we could do,” explained Haug. His shop, located at 3702 37th Ave, is where the food bank van will become brand new again. 

For Coffey, it was just more proof of how amazing Whitecourt is. “They contacted me. They heard about it and contacted each other and then contacted me. They are simply amazing people, and I am so grateful for the people in our community. They support us so much. I am just floored by how generous this community is, truly. I feel so supported,” she gushed.

And it didn’t stop there! To prevent this from ever happening again, Vincent Eckert with Bohn Petroleum Services offered to weld a bracket to hold the catalytic converter in place just in case someone else tries to go after it. “It’ll be a deterrent. The hope is that someone will see that and not even try because it’s so much extra work. I’m so grateful for this help.” Coffey said she even received an offer from the local MasTec Canada Inc shop to put the van in their locked compound overnight rather than outside at the food bank. “It wouldn’t have worked for us to go back and forth to get it, but we really, really appreciate that they thought of us and offered that. It means so much!”

Having a working van is imperative for Coffey and the staff at the food bank. January 2021 was the highest month for them ever. “It was the highest number in recorded history for the Whitecourt Food Bank. February was also high. Typically, January is not the highest month for us. Because we are an oilfield town, August is usually our highest month. When I see January so high, then that means that August is going to be terrible. It is a prediction. It tells me I have to be ready, and I will be.”

She said that they give out roughly 120 perishable food boxes each month and that they have disappeared quickly. “One day, the boxes were all scooped up in one minute because there was a line the moment we opened. We are seeing more new people coming in. A lot of new faces and more intakes too.” Those utilizing the food bank can receive continuous help through the year as an intake or pop by to grab a perishable box without providing ID or filling out paperwork. “It’s reducing waste, and I think it’s a good system that we have because it enables people who don’t have their stuff together to get food still.”

The rising numbers and record-breaking need are just two reasons why the Whitecourt Food Bank needs a working van. Community superheroes like Susan King, Darren Haug, and Vincent Eckert were not looking for any publicity for their actions, but that only proves why they deserve to receive it. They selflessly offered to help an organization working to provide for the rising number of residents in need. It sure sounds like superhero status to this reporter.

Are you looking to donate? Money is one of the best things to give to the food bank as it enables Coffey to purchase food in bulk and at a discount, stretching every dollar as far as possible. Aside from that, non-perishables are always a big help, as are toiletries.