SPOKANE, Wash. – A Spokane nonprofit that provides food, clothing and everyday items to families in need is grappling with a significant loss of donations after experiencing four break-ins within a single week in August.
Our Place, which has over 10 security cameras set up around the building, captured footage on August 14 showing someone filling a shopping cart with items stolen from their shed. The stolen goods were meant for families in need during the holidays.
“This person took a blanket, climbed up and over the gate, and gained entrance to our building, our property,” said Leonard Jenkins, the facilities manager at Our Place.
Jenkins says the thief spent over two hours on the property taking items that would go towards families in need during the holidays. The stolen items were particularly valuable because they were brand new donations from the community.
“These items are given to us by the community, their brand new items throughout the year. Items like new clothing, watches, jewelry, toys, small appliances,” Jenkins said.
The August 14 break-in was the fourth time that week that someone was able to get through the facility’s fence. In response to the repeated security breaches, Our Place is implementing enhanced security measures.
“We’re in the process of getting a new shed, as well as installing barbed wire, and razor wire, additional 12 inches above our existing fence,” Jenkins said.
However, these upgrades and replacements come at a significant cost for the nonprofit organization.
“It is very difficult because this is funds that we do not have to deal with,” Jenkins said.
Despite the financial strain, Jenkins says he has seen the community come together since the break-ins. Volunteers spent an afternoon sorting through donations and moving what was left of the Christmas donations into a more secure shed.
“With all bad there is good and we have people that are stepping up and helping us,” Jenkins said.
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