Burglars steal thousands of pounds of food, water, goods from tiny community food bank

QUILCENE, Wash. -- The Quilcene Food Bank is struggling after someone broke in and stole thousands of pounds of food, bottled water and pillows and blankets.

The food bank that helps people in need is now the one asking for help.

Leslie Tippins, of the community food bank, said Monday that someone broke into the food bank on the night of July 15, nearly clearing them out of the most vital items this community depends on.

"We're figuring somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds," Tippins said of their losses.

"We are like the QFC of Quilcene, so when people come in on Wednesdays, it's a social gathering where they can get bread, they can get whatever they need and the cost is zero," she said.

Tippins filed a report with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

But for a small facility that feeds about 1,000 people a month, the impact of the theft is massive.

"It was devastating to find out that somebody would stoop so low as to come in and take the food from our people, it's very hard."

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to contact the sheriff's office in Quilcene.

The small food bank is asking for cash donations so that it can replenish its stocks.

If you'd like to help, you can mail a donation to the Quilcene Food Bank, P.O. Box 112, Quilcene, Wash. 98376