PEMBROKE PARK, FLA. (WSVN) - Officials at Feeding South Florida said thousands of dollars worth of equipment was stolen from their Pembroke Park location.
The food bank, which serves millions of people a year, said the burglary happened Sunday from their warehouse.
Video, provided by the organization, shows two men approaching one of its trailers, breaking the locks, and opening the door. Later, they are seen loading up the stolen items and driving away.
“They broke into two trailers that housed our little mobile kitchen that we use to train individuals or teach individuals how to prepare meals in a healthy way,” said Paco Velez, the organization’s president and CEO.
Feeding South Florida officials said the men stole two large rolling kitchens worth about $15,000 each.
The rolling kitchens are used at senior centers and events to help people, who are suffering from food insecurity, learn how to prepare and maximize the food they were given by the organization.
The organization has also helped bring food and generators to Southwest Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and provided much-needed groceries during the pandemic.
“We’re out there trying to help community. We need all the resources we can get. We’re not a for-profit that can sell things and make up for it. We only exist through the generosity of our community,” said Velez.
He said the burglary is a blow to an organization that has already seen a nearly $1 million grant frozen and another government program they use to provide fresh produce paused.
“Our community trusts us, right? So we want to do a great job for our community and when we initially found out, I mean, anger and frustration. Everything that we are trying to do for our community and then folks come out and steal from us. That’s an unfortunate situation,” he said.
In addition to the two rolling kitchen sets that were stolen, officials said the men also stole small appliances like blenders that are used for events.
Organization officials say they want to find this equipment and get it back as it was already set to be used at future events.
If you would like to donate to Feeding South Florida, click here.
If you have any information on this crime, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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