Canada’s largest meals rescue group stated it’s “deeply disenchanted and outraged” after a case of vandalism rendered seven of its vehicles out of service over Thanksgiving weekend.
Second Harvest stated suspects broke into its truck yard in Toronto and minimize by the exhaust programs of seven meals rescue vehicles and allegedly stole the catalytic converters.
“The harm means we now have to switch each the catalytic converters and the broken exhaust parts, leaving seven vehicles out of service,” Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, stated in an e-mail.
The charity had been getting ready for its beforehand marketed Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway.
Nikkel instructed International Information there have been two vehicles out on the highway Sunday, however come subsequent week, they could must look into getting leases.
She stated the estimated repairs complete $80,000.
“These vehicles are a lifeline for our group. Second Harvest delivers rescued meals on to greater than 300 non-profit organizations throughout Toronto, serving to them feed people who find themselves struggling to place meals on the desk,” she stated.
Safety footage exhibits vehicles within the yard at Second Harvest’s Toronto location on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.
Courtesy: Second Harvest
“With seven vehicles off the highway, these deliveries shall be immediately impacted at a time when the necessity for meals assist is already overwhelming.”
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Nikkel stated she believes the suspects minimize a gap by the fence to entry the truck yard. That fence was put in after water was put into the tanks of the group’s fleet on New 12 months’s Eve.
“We put up a fence in order that we might deter that from taking place once more,” she stated. “however this felt like a much more organized crime than that one.”
Toronto police confirmed to International Information it obtained a name Sunday concerning the incident and an investigation is ongoing.
Nikkel is asking the group to contact police if they’ve any data, or to think about donating to Second Harvest to assist with the repairs.
“Our group is doing every thing we will to revive our fleet and maintain meals transferring to the communities that depend upon us,” she stated. “We received’t let this cease us.”
In Canada, Second Harvest and its companions rescued and redistributed greater than 95 million kilos of meals in 2025.
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