Thief Steals Truck Used For Church Program

An Oklahoma church is working to recover after a thief took an important piece of equipment. Those thieves took a volunteer's truck used in a program that helps make groceries more affordable. News

Tuesday, May 1st 2007, 8:52 pm

By: News On 6

An Oklahoma church is working to recover after a thief took an important piece of equipment. Those thieves took a volunteer's truck used in a program that helps make groceries more affordable. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports when employees at Oil Capitol Sheet Metal got to work, they found their gate wide open and one of their trucks long gone.

"You can see where he peeled off with the truck,â€ said truck owner John Odom. â€œWe were sad to see it go."

The thieves unhooked the 1997 F-350 truck from its trailer and took off. That truck wasn't just any ordinary truck. It was used by an area church for a special mission that really does a lot of good in the community. Meadowcreek United Methodist Church in Collinsville uses the truck to pick up food through the Angel Food Ministry. It's a non-profit organization that provides groceries at a lower cost. The church is one of 180 locations in Oklahoma.

"It brings food here for probably 75 families," said Odom.

Angel Food Ministries isn't based on income. It's available to anyone who just wants to save money. The truck was a big tool used by the program.

"It's what we use to haul the trailer to pick up the food. It's the workhorse that we need," said Angel Food director Wilson Rubottom.

"It's going to be a little hard for us now because that was our only one ton truck and this trailer is too big to pull with a smaller truck," said Odom.

The church is already lining up others to pick up the supply of groceries for the next delivery later this month. The church members consider the theft a minor setback, they'll overcome, but it sure would be nice if the truck is returned. The truck is a dually pickup with an extended cab. It's clearly marked with the Oil Capitol Sheet Metal logo and lettering on the side, so the owner is hopeful it can be found.

Watch the video: Thieves Steal From Charity