Vandalism puts breakfast program on hold
A recent act of vandalism has put the Salvation Army’s food truck, which usually serves breakfast to those in need, on the sidelines until at least Thursday.
The window of the food truck was smashed sometime Saturday night, said Maj. Herbert Sharp, food truck organizer. He said nothing was taken, from the looks of it, but it impacts those who really need it, especially when there are only two meals being served daily to those in need.
“It looks like it is just a random act,” he said. “Just the window and that is going to cost, because it is our serving window. I am actually trying to see if we can catch it on our security cameras.”
The food truck has been serving breakfast five days a week and has seen an increase lately. Sharp said the numbers have been increasing as more people seek services from the Salvation Army.
“Last week, we were serving over 80 for breakfast. Last week was a very busy week, 70 to 80 almost every day,” he said.
Sharp said anyone still requiring help can still come by and they will do their best to help people get what they need.
“We are here, and our building is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” he said. “If they need assistance, we can help them in one way or another.”
He said the few that needed it were able to get some food that they could take with them, but as of now the truck will hopefully be returning to full service as of Thursday.
Dan Hennessey, local activist and advocate, said this really impacts the people in the marginalized community the most.
“Now, the marginalized community went from two meals a day, breakfast and lunch, now just down to lunch,” he said.
Hennessey said he doesn’t know what the person was thinking, but it ruins it for the people who need it.
“It just sucks,” he said. “One
Roof is down to one meal a day, they used to serve two meals a day and the Salvation Army served breakfast.”
Sharp said that he will continue to be in the parking lot in his car, like he was Monday morning. If anyone requires his assistance, he will be able to help.
“We are just so appreciative of being able to serve them and they don’t have to go hungry,” he said. “Just come by and see us and we will figure it out one way or another.”