Hunger and Thirst Ministries' office was vandalized and $290 in cash was taken on Wednesday night, according to Alice Viney, assistant director of the nonprofit.
Hunger and Thirst Ministries, located on East Kenwood Street in Siloam Springs, serves between 800 and 1,000 people a week. The organization offers free meals, Monday through Thursday, and gives out boxes of food on Monday and Thursday. The organization also gives out free clothing, Viney said.
Thieves smashed the office window with a large rock to get inside, Viney said. They broke into a locked file cabinet and took $150 from a money box inside and another $140 from a money bag, she said.
"The room was totally ransacked," Viney said.
Nothing was taken from the other rooms in the building, Viney said.
One of Hunger and Thirst Ministries' volunteers discovered the break-in when they went to take the trash out on Thursday morning. Viney said she broke down in tears when she went into the room and saw what had happened.
"It was devastating to come in here and think somebody could be that cruel," Viney said.
Hunger and Thirst Ministries is outside the city limits, so the Benton County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, according to public information officer Keshia Guyll.
A call log from the Sheriff's Office shows deputies arrived on scene about 8 a.m. Thursday morning. They found an empty money box on the floor and glass all over the room, the call log states.
On Thursday afternoon there were no suspects in the case, Guyll said.
The stolen money would have been used to pay for the building's utilities and gasoline for the organization's vehicles so they can pick up food donations, Viney said.
The theft will make it more difficult to provide services, but it won't stop the nonprofit from continuing its mission. Viney is hopeful the community will provide donations to help make up for the loss.
"If somebody came in here and asked, we're willing to give -- they shouldn't have to steal," Viney said.
Hunger and Thirst Ministries doesn't usually have money to give out to help people with necessities such as utility bills, but they can connect those in need with organizations that do help with those expenses, Viney said.
To make a donation to Hunger and Thirst Ministries contact Viney, or director Bill Parsons, at 479-373-6220.
General News on 07/27/2014