Food Donations Stolen From Local Charity In Garden Grove

GARDEN GROVE (CBSLA.com) — A local charity sought non-perishable food donations Friday after meals intended to feed needy children were stolen from a storage shed in Garden Grove.

According to Grandma's House of Hope, staff arrived around 6 a.m. on Wednesday to find a shed at St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church, where Nana's Kidz supplies were being stored, was broken into. Food was also thrown on the floor of the shed.

"What really breaks my heart is whoever did this likely knows what we do and why we do it," said Je'net Kreitner, of Nana's Kidz.

Kreitner explained she originally thought the thieves were from an underprivileged family that broke into the shed once before to take what they needed.

"When they came back, they took the most expensive stuff that we had in the shed," Kreitner added.

Later that morning, additional staff confirmed that almost 1,500 pounds of food was stolen from the shed.

A preliminary investigation revealed a suspect cut the lock off of one of the sheds, and subsequently stole packages of juice, snacks, canned fruit, and peanut butter that was intended to feed needy children.

A food packing event was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, however, the charity now fears they do not have enough food to provide bags to over 200 children in Orange County.

The food packing event usually creates 5,600 meals, which requires at least 30 days to gather necessary food items.

According to Grandma's House of Hope, the Nana's Kidz program provides students with one bag of food, which has enough food to make up to 14 meals, every two weeks.

Staff members explained they are in need of the following non-perishable items:

• Peanut Butter (28-ounces or less)
• Jam and/or jelly (in plastic containers)
• 100 percent individual juices
• Protein meals such as ravioli, canned chicken or roast beef
• Healthy snacks such as fruit cups, granola bars, and fruit snacks
• Canned fruit (20-ounces or less)

Food banks, several companies, and residents have already begun making donations in support of the local charity.

Donations can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Grandma's House of Hope, located at 1505 East 17th Street in Santa Ana.

On Saturday, donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church, located at 13091 Galway Street in Garden Grove.

To make a monetary donation online, click here.