A non-profit seniors care home in Bangor, Sask., is dealing with the loss of about $10,000 worth of food after thieves broke into a storage shed and emptied several freezers. For kitchen staff member Intisher Islam, the theft came as a surprise. “It’s quiet, peaceful, and serene here. The neighbourhood is so good. I never thought something like that could happen here,” he said about the community of Bangor, which hosts a population of 40. The theft was discovered last week when Islam went to the shed housing Morris Lodge Society’s freezers to get some treats for residents. “We had three eight-litre tubs of ice cream donated just a week ago, and I saw those three containers gone,” he said. “That’s when I realized something was wrong.” Islam said a closer look at the other freezers revealed several high-value items had been taken. In a response to CTV News, Saskatchewan RCMP confirmed that “an individual or individuals broke into an outbuilding on the property and stole a large amount of meat.” “They only took the expensive ones,” Islam told CTV News. “Bacon’s gone. Turkey’s gone. Our beef [is] gone. Steaks [are] gone.” According to staff, the RCMP found the thieves entered through a back road and gained access to the shed through a rear door that had been sealed shut with screws. “We’d forgotten there was even a door on the back of the shed because we never use it,” said Cherylynn Walters, executive director of Morris Lodge Society. “They were able to open those doors from the back, climb in over top of the deep freezer and take everything out from there.” Walters believes whoever took the food knew it was being stored in the shed. “There’s no question,” she said. “You wouldn’t have known that unless you actually came into the shed or at some point in time saw us taking food out of it.” While enough food had already been removed for residents’ next meal, Walters said the theft has created a significant financial burden for the non-profit. “It’s about $10,000 worth of food,” she said. “We have to replace it, obviously. We also have to put in security, and a gate, and all the other expenses that before we didn’t have to worry about.” The loss has also forced staff to adjust some menu items. Fridays typically feature fish for dinner, but that supply was among the stolen food. The thieves also took pies from the freezers, leaving behind only a single pie crust. Walters said residents feel violated by the theft and hope those responsible are apprehended. “Shame on you,” she addressed the thieves. “You should be so ashamed of yourself because these are older people from this area who need assistance and you stole from them ... [from] the most vulnerable.” Morris Lodge is encouraging community members to report anything suspicious to RCMP and hopes local support will help replenish their food supplies. Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is asked to contact Esterhazy RCMP or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.
