Monument Crisis Center lost its only delivery truck to theft on Sunday, Aug. 2, putting food deliveries to more than 150 Contra Costa County families at risk, including households in Walnut Creek.
The 2004 Ford F-350 was taken from the front of the Concord-based nonprofit's facility, according to a report from Claycord.com. The truck is used daily to haul donated food, diapers and other essentials to families and seniors across the county.
The timing is especially painful. The theft came just one day after the organization distributed hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to low-income students.
A pop-up distribution in jeopardy
Without the truck, Monument Crisis Center may not be able to deliver hundreds of food bags to its pop-up distribution at Community Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg, scheduled for Aug. 7. More than 150 clients are expected to pick up groceries there.
The pop-up program was created specifically for East County families who cannot easily reach the nonprofit's Concord location at 1990 Market St.
Second theft in a decade
This marks the second time in just over 10 years that the nonprofit has had a truck stolen. A similar theft occurred in February 2016. The truck taken on Aug. 2 was itself donated to the organization after that earlier theft, meaning Monument Crisis Center has now lost two trucks to thieves in a decade.
@kron4news: "An East Bay nonprofit organization that provides food and resources to low-income residents has suffered a major setback after its only truck was stolen over the weekend. The truck was donated to the Monument Crisis Center in 2016 following the theft of its previous truck."
Monument Crisis Center, founded in 2003, has grown from serving 84 families with a single food closet to enrolling more than 15,000 households in its food distribution program. The Lesher Foundation, named for the Walnut Creek-based Lesher family, is among the organization's community supporters.
How Walnut Creek residents can help
Anyone who spots the stolen Ford F-350 (California plate 7H38889) or has information about the theft can call the Concord Police Department's anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.
Residents who want to support the nonprofit's operations can donate at monumentcrisiscenter.org. The organization can also be reached at 925-825-7751.
Upcoming
- Aug. 7: Monument Crisis Center pop-up food distribution, Community Presbyterian Church, Pittsburg (status uncertain due to truck theft)
- Monday–Wednesday, weekly: Main food distribution, 9 a.m.–noon, 1990 Market St., Concord
