QUILCENE — The Quilcene Food Bank has reopened, but things are a little different.
Up to 4,000 pounds — 2 tons — of food was stolen a few days before reopening Wednesday.
“We were able to open because of the donations we received,” said Leslie Tippins, food bank manager.
“This theft hurt all of us and hit us in a vulnerable spot,” she said.
“You wouldn’t expect this to happen to a food bank, especially in a town this size.”
Tippins said the theft was discovered July 16 after a neighbor reported the window to the food storeroom left open.
Tippins went in the storeroom, which she would not normally do until a Tuesday, to discover that thieves had emptied several boxes and replaced them to appear as if the theft had not occurred.
“I think they intended to come back, which is why they left the window open,” she said.
“If I hadn’t have gone in there, we would have gone in there much later and wouldn’t have had the time to replace the food,” Tippins said.
The food bank, located in the Quilcene Community Center at 294952 U.S. Highway 101, feeds 250 to 300 people every week,
It was able to meet this week’s allocation due to 1,200 pounds of food delivered through the food bank network and an additional 1,300 pounds collected by volunteers on short notice.
Also contributed was around $500 cash, which Tippins said will be allocated to install security cameras rather than purchase food.
“We want to pay it forward to the community and make sure that the children are safe and our food never gets stolen again,” Tippins said.
“Food only lasts so long. We want to put this money into something more permanent.”
Tippins said children are often unsupervised at the center and a camera system would protect them.
Among the items stolen was canned pumpkin, of which Tippins said, “Since Thanksgiving, we haven’t been able to give that stuff away. No one would touch it.”
The theft, Tippins said, hit the community particularly hard because of its isolation.
“This is like the QFC of Quilcene. It’s where people who can’t drive to supermarkets will get their needs met,” she said.
“I don’t know why they chose us,” she said of the burglars.
“There are other food banks that have way more food.”
The theft was immediately reported to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, which currently has no leads, according to Detective Brett Anglin.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office, 360-385-3831.
Meanwhile, cash donations can be dropped off at the food bank or mailed to P.O. Box 112, Quilcene, WA 98376.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
