SOURCES Langley Food Bank’s missing van was recovered on March 10 after it had been missing for nearly one week.
The vehicle was taken late Thursday night, March 5th, or early Friday morning while it was parked in front of the bank at 20445 62nd Ave.
It was discovered down a path off of 16th Avenue and around 190th Street in South Langley.
Jaye Murray, Sources program director, said it was in rough condition, but it could have been much worse.
“Needless to say there was damage – just from getting into the vehicle, getting it to run, etc. Not surprising, the catalytic converter was cut off,” Murray explained, saying at least the van wasn’t torched.
While police and ICBC continue to investigate, the food bank van will soon be returned to Sources.
READ MORE: Sources Langley Food Bank van stolen
Murray said the food bank relies on the van, a 2008 Ford E250, to pick up produce for clients.
SOURCES Langley Food Bank has 1,500 registered clients and serves about 600 people a week, 42 per cent of them children, which is an usually high percentage, Murray noted.
Individuals and families who live on a low income in the Langley area (Zero Ave. to the Fraser River, east of 196th St. and west of 276th St.) are eligible.
With the COVID-19 outbreak shutting doors every minute, Murray added that food banks are deemed essential services, meaning Sources will stay open until further notice.
“We will be taking extra precautions as far as using social distancing or separation by limiting the number of clients in at one time. Extra work is going into ensuring all volunteers are wearing gloves and sanitizing all counters and shelf space as frequently as possible,” Murray said.
She added that Sources is asking people with any symptoms at all to please not attend and those that do use hand sanitizer before entering.
“We purchase fresh fruit and vegetables weekly, but find that this is being effected as some stores aren’t getting their full order so it in turn means we don’t get our full order so hopefully the large grocery stores are able to keep up with the demand,” Murray continued.
He said they are asking for the healthy choices, including canned protein, vegetables, fruit, and rice to name a few examples.
It is open to clients Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donations can be made onsite Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Anyone with information about the van’s theft is asked to contact Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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