Toronto charity says truck fleet immobilized after thefts

A Toronto charity that aims to help people in need of furniture is now in need itself after they say thieves made off with about $20,000 in truck parts, leaving their entire fleet immobilized.

Furniture Bank describes itself as a charity that provides used furniture to people who were once homeless, women and children who are escaping abusive situations, as well as refugees and newcomers to Canada.

The charity — which is located in the area of Kipling Avenue and the Gardiner Expressway — said that security cameras caught suspects removing catalytic converters from their fleet of trucks on Saturday around 8 p.m.

“They probably didn’t even know they were hitting a charity,” Dan Kershaw, the executive director of Furniture Bank, explained. “We can’t function without our trucks.”

Kershaw said every week about 120 families walk through the warehouse, where they can handpick pieces of gently used furniture. However, with the trucks out of service, donations can’t be picked up and deliveries can’t be made.

“Tomorrow we were meant to be delivering furniture to about 20 families,” he said. “People may have a roof over their heads but they’re living on the floor. They have no place to sit, to do homework, to do anything that you and I take for granted every day.”

According Kershaw, this is the third time in as many years that this type of incident has happened.

“This will slow down our work, but it will definitely not deter our staff and volunteers from turning empty spaces into true homes,” he said.

Kershaw believes the thieves may have targeted the catalytic converters — which filter harmful engine pollutants and emissions — for the trace amount of precious metals contained within them.

The police have been notified of the incident and Kershaw is in the process of filing a report – which he said will include handing over security camera footage of the alleged theft.