Update: Salvation Army hit By theft; Business steps up to help

May 28, 2019 | 2:09 PM

Update 2 p.m.

Vernon’s Salvation Army was hit by crime — but there is a silver lining.

Two batteries used for operation and refrigeration were stolen from the Army’s Food Recovery Truck at the House of Hope on Monday night.

Lt. Stefan Reid says Fountain Tire heard the story on the radio and has agreed to help get the truck back on the road, providing and installing a couple of batteries.

“As soon as they heard it on the radio, I got the phone call from Fountain Tire and they were like ‘What can we do to help?’ So they are currently working on getting us a couple of batteries and hooking it up. The community always steps up in times of need,” Reid tells Beach Radio News.

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He says they are grateful for the support, adding the truck should be able to return to service Wednesday.

“They (batteries) are quite a bit of money. If we had to purchase brand new batteries, that would unfortunately be taking from things from the community (programs), and it’s unfortunate this happened, but positive reinforcement: Fountain Tire comes through for us again,” says Reid.

The truck is used to pick up unsaleable food from Save On Foods stores, with the meat, produce and other food provided to people in need and for other purposes.

12 p.m.

The Salvation Army has suffered a setback with its newest program in Vernon.

Two batteries were stolen from the Army’s Food Recovery Truck on Monday night.

“Our truck driver noticed that both batteries were missing at the start of his shift this morning. This is an unfortunate situation, but we are committed to continuing our service to Vernon and surrounding communities with minimal interruption,” says Lt. Stefan Reid.

Reid says they are working in replacing the batteries in the next day or so.

“It comes at a cost and we are disappointed that this has happened but we remain certain that our community will support us during
these days.”

The project works in partnership with Save-On-Foods stores in Vernon to recover unsalable food that is put to other uses.

by Corey Fischer