Shock after food help organisation's delivery van is stolen

Community interest company Food Aware, based in Mexborough, is dependent on its refrigerated Citroen Relay van which it uses for all of its collections and deliveries.

The vehicle was stolen from Park Road, Mexborough, some time between the night of Sunday, October 24, and the next morning.

Sean Gibbons, managing director of Food Aware, said: “It’s something we never expected.

“People know what we do and they know how many people we support each week.

“It’s really devastating because it’s pulled the heart out of our operations.”

Food Aware supports around 1,000 people each week across Doncaster, Rotherham and the surrounding area.

It works with around 40 organisations, collecting and redistributing surplus food from supermarkets and warehouses and delivering food, toiletries and everyday essentials to foodbanks and those who need them.

It has also helped to collect and deliver personal protective equipment, hand gel and masks during the pandemic.

Mr Gibbons, who also represents Mexborough on Doncaster Council, said the van was the company’s only vehicle, which meant it had been unable to carry out collections and deliveries this week.

He said Mexborough Foodbank had also been closed due to the van theft and a shortage of volunteers.

“We think probably it’s been targeted for the value of its parts — it’s easy pickings,” said Mr Gibbons.

“They have seen the van as opposed to what the van does for all the communities and families.

“When you have done all this work for people, week in, week out, it’s devastating.

“There’s lots of nice people out there but this is a really low thing for someone to do.”

Mr Gibbons said the company had a funding bid in for two new vehicles next week and he was hoping that would be successful.

He said firms had offered temporary use of their vans as well to help the company collect and deliver food in the coming days.

Mr Gibbons asked people to look out for a seven-year-old Citroen Relay, registration SK14 WNA.

The theft happened just days after pupils at Thurcroft Infant School donated food from their Harvest Festival to Food Aware (above).

The not-for-profit organisation said it would be passing the food on to its community partners such as Maltby St Mary Magdalene Church who support people and families who are less fortunate.

Anyone with any information about the incident should call 101 quoting investigation number 14/165472/21.

A Crowdfunder appeal has been set up to raise £15,000 to replace the van.