The west Dallas nonprofit Hunger Busters was robbed last week. Thieves stole the HVAC system and compromised copper pipes. Photo courtesy of Hunger Busters.
A West Dallas nonprofit that provides free meals to Dallas ISD students was robbed last weekend, with thieves stealing the organization’s HVAC system and compromising the copper wiring in the refrigeration system.
The nonprofit, Hunger Busters, said they were forced to throw out more than $10,000 worth of food that would have made a weeks worth of meals due to health concerns after the refrigeration system was broken.
“This means 3,500 children who rely on Hunger Busters won’t receive their third meal today … and possibly the rest of this week,” Hunger Busters said in a Facebook post.
The facility “wreaked” because of the rotten food, and “every screw had been removed” from the air conditioning unit, Hunger Busters CEO Latame Phillips told Fox4.
With the start of summer break, the organization is also concerned about its ability to feed students who will not have school breakfast and lunch options. Throughout the summer, Hunger Busters provides both breakfast and lunch to students who are enrolled the City Recreation Centers, Dallas City of Learning and other programs.
“Without a refrigeration system to keep our perishable food fresh – and without air conditioning and proper ventilation for our volunteers working at our facility – we won’t be able to meet the needs of these kids,” the Facebook post said.
The nonprofit is accepting donations to help getting back in operating order.
In addition to the stolen HVAC, autographed sports memorabilia that was expected to raise at least $3,000 was taken.
“We don’t have state funding or a large corporation backing us. It’s devastating,” Phillips said.
