Good Samaritan helps Tacoma Food Bank after car batteries stolen

TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma food bank that helps struggling families has found itself on the receiving end of help after it was targeted by criminals.

“We just  want to make sure everybody can eat and they're allowed to come every day that we're open,” said Samantha Ball, manager at Eloise's Cooking Pot Food Bank.

For the last 10 years, it has served about 17,000 people a month.

Ball explained that the food bank is a critical lifeline for many families who may otherwise not have food.

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“We're in a food desert. So there's no grocery store within 3 miles of here so it comes in handy for a lot of people in the neighborhood,” Ball said.

So when Ball discovered that someone stole three large batteries right off of their truck, she was immediately concerned about the folks who rely on them every day.

“We pick up food. We deliver food in it. Just about everything you can think of, we use it for,” Ball explained.

After posting about the theft on Facebook, a good Samaritan stepped up to help. He didn't want to talk on camera, but the food bank said he and AutoZone donated and installed the batteries.

Despite what happened, Ball said she's not angry and has this message for the thieves.

“If they needed food, needed something. If they just reach out to us and let us know so we can help them,” Ball said.

Cox Media Group