A Canton nonprofit that provides affordable groceries to low-income residents has had to cancel its delivery services this week after thieves stole catalytic converters from all of its vehicles 鈥� leaving about 100 residents without their regular source of groceries.
The Mobile Grocery Market visits several locations throughout Stark County each week, particularly in low-income areas, but that鈥檚 not possible this week, said Azella Markgraf, coordinator of the mobile market.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big disservice to the people who rely on our program in order to eat every week,鈥� Markgraf said. 鈥淎 lot of them can鈥檛 get to the grocery store, and so they rely on us, especially for fresh food that they may not be able to get at, for example, the food pantry.鈥�
Among the delivery locations are areas of Canton, Massillon and Alliance that are considered food deserts 鈥� meaning residents do not have quick access to affordable, healthy food, Markgraf said. The vehicle parks at community centers such as public housing complexes, senior centers and hospitals and allows individuals to shop in the pantry inside, she said.
Some customers do not have proper transportation to get to a grocery store, and many are seniors with mobility issues, she said. Many choose to pre-order their groceries, so they may have been expecting food that StarkFresh is now unable to deliver due to the theft.
鈥淗aving to break the news to them that we can鈥檛 bring them that service, bring them that food that they do rely on every week, is just really tough news to deliver to them,鈥� Markgraf said.
Over the weekend, thieves cut open the fence surrounding StarkFresh鈥檚 main campus in downtown Canton and stole catalytic converters from its entire fleet of vehicles, including the mobile market van and a truck used to deliver food to stock the mobile market and StarkFresh鈥檚 full-service grocery store, Markgraf said.
Although security camera footage has been reviewed, the theft occurred during severe storms, making it difficult to identify suspects, she added.
鈥淲e scrape by as a nonprofit, but any blow like this is really detrimental,鈥� Markgraf said.
While the mobile market van is currently being repaired, it could take some time before the other vehicles can get into a shop due to the ongoing labor shortage and supply chain issues, she added.
Markgraf hopes the mobile market will be back up and running by early next week. She鈥檚 already hearing from customers that the service is missed in their communities.
鈥淭hey say they are sorry that this happened, but also to express that they鈥檒l miss us and they want to know when we鈥檙e going to be back,鈥� Markgraf said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e texted us basically saying, 鈥榣et us know as soon as you鈥檙e coming back because we need to know that you鈥檙e coming.鈥欌��
In the meantime, the grocery store at 321 Cherry Ave. in downtown Canton remains open on weekdays until 6:30 p.m., she added.
