The Sources Langley Food Bank has seen a terrible run of luck turn into an outpouring of community support.
On Friday, they suffered the first of two thefts when $1,000 worth of gift cards were stolen. Then the transmission in one of their vans blew out.
On Monday, their larger delivery vehicle was stolen – along with a diesel card that the thieves used to run up a tab of $1,300.
When Sources went public with their troubles early in the week, they found that many in Langley were willing to help them get back in full operation.
“We’ve had amazing community support just in the last day and a half,” said Bruce Strom of Sources on Wednesday morning.
“We just had Mercedes Benz come by this morning,” Strom said. The dealership has donated the use of one of their vans. “Willowbrook Chrysler did that yesterday.”
Steve Phillips of Willowbrook Motors said they were glad to be in a position to help out, and knew that the food bank would need a replacement vehicle fast.
That brought them back up to two vehicles, but they were shocked when four local firms pooled their money and simply bought Sources a 1-ton van. The firms were the Newmark Group, Canadian Car and Truck Rental, Mr. Lube, and Dawn Construction.
“An amazing, amazing donation,” said Strom.
Things are still somewhat chaotic at Sources, he said.
“We are struggling a bit to get ourselves organized for sure,” he said, but the staff and volunteers are getting a handle on things.
The food bank has had about $20,000 in donations since the thefts and other issues arose.
Things are still in flux with the older vehicles. The van with the busted transmission will not be repaired – it was a $5,000 repair bill for a van worth about $1,500.
Strom is still waiting to hear from ICBC about the amount of damage to the now-recovered stolen truck.
They also need to get some important paperwork out of the van, which is currently in a tow yard in Surrey.
Sources established a food bank in Langley a little over a year ago. It has already grown to serving up to 600 people each week during it’s Wednesday food pick up day.
The food bank is based in the former United Church building at 5673 200th Street.