Sultan Food Bank recovers stolen delivery truck

While it didn't get very far away, the Volunteers of America Western Washington Sultan Food Bank truck sustained enough damage during its illicit jaunt across town that VOA director Calei Vaughn no longer feels it's safe for the road.

But thanks to Woodinville-based HVAC company Johansen Mechanical, the food bank was able to resume its food rescue operations this week using a gifted cargo van. Johansen learned of the theft from Sky Valley Food Bank Director Neil Watkins, and decided to donate the van to the VOA. Vaughn thanked Johansen on social media last week, praising the company for its generosity.

The van arrived at the VOA on Thursday, July 7.-á -á

The stolen box truck, a white 2003 Ford E350 cutaway-style truck, was driven out of a secured parking area the VOA shares with the Sultan Public Works Department sometime early Wednesday, June 22. A logging company employee discovered it last week east of Sultan Basin Road in the 11100 block of Kellogg Lake Road. The employee reported the truck's location to Snohomish County Sheriff's Office deputies at Sultan's east precinct on Tuesday, July 5, showing photos of the truck and its license plate.

According to the police report, a deputy and a detective from the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office followed the logging company staffer to the location. The truck had been abandoned approximately 2 1/2 miles down a private road, with its keys tossed roughly 15 feet in front of it in some brush.

The VOA had heard rumors that the truck had been spray-painted black, which turned out not to be the case. Vaughn said the truck had been high-centered and wedged between two trees, causing damage to its undercarriage, denting along one side and torn mud flaps.

"The undercarriage is what I'm really worried about. It was in bad shape before it got stolen and now, with additional damage to the undercarriage, I'm concerned with its safety,GÇ¥ Vaughn said. "I don't want to put anyone on the road in something that's not safe.GÇ¥

Security footage caught the murky image of an individual on VOA property at around 3:45 a.m. on June 22. Vaughn worked with Sultan city staff to examine city surveillance footage taken near the Sultan Skate Park around the same timeframe, but never saw the stolen truck.

The truck had to be towed from where it was found, leaving the VOA with a towing bill around $600. The VOA has been dealt several financial blows recently, including the theft of the truck and a major cut in senior center funding. In response, Vaughn has kicked off a capacity-building campaign, and is working to obtain widespread community support.-á -á -á

"What I'm really hoping for is an affordable monthly donation on an ongoing basis,GÇ¥ Vaughn said. "It's easier for someone to do a little bit a month than do a big chunk at once, and that's really what we need, is ongoing support.GÇ¥

Vaughn said she and her husband have each decided to pledge a $20 monthly donation to help make up for recent shortfalls. The funds will be dedicated to things like senior citizen nutrition, at-risk youth, emergency situations and food insecurity among school-aged children in the community.

The city of Sultan has a population of roughly 4,600, and Vaughn is hoping to involve as many community members as possible.

"My goal is to raise one dollar a month for every resident in the city of Sultan,GÇ¥ Vaughn said.

Donations can be dropped off at the Sultan VOA or made through the VOA website at www.voaww.org. Online donors can direct their gift to support the Sultan Food Bank by selecting "VOA Sultan Food BankGÇ¥ on the "Gift DesignationGÇ¥ area of the donation page. Alternatively, "Sultan Senior CenterGÇ¥ or "Sultan GeneralGÇ¥ can be designated.

Volunteer application forms are available on the website and can be picked up at the Sultan VOA. For more information on how to help, contact the VOA at 360-793-2400.