Local food distribution sites face ongoing vandalism and crime

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Bakersfield has a number of food distribution sites to help those most in need who are struggling to stock their pantries. But even these sites are not immune to the increasing crime on our streets.

• Reverend Tudy-Hamilton has been Cain's pastor for two years, and she said a recent increase in break-ins, vandalism and even arson has made it more difficult to care for the community they serve.
• Stay Focused Ministries said they had to put up an iron fence to protect their facility. On Brundage Lane, Brenda Jean's Sober Living recently had the catalytic converter stolen from their food bank's van.

Bakersfield has a number of food distribution sites to help those most in need who are struggling to stock their pantries, but even these sites are not immune to the increasing crime on our streets.

“I heard through the grapevine that Cain's was broken into,” said Charles Munoz, an elderly resident who relies on food distribution sites on the east side to replenish his grocery list.

“As a senior citizen myself, with disabilities and a low income, this is important,” he said.

While Munoz is aware of the increasing number of petty crimes such as vandalism, the situation is now hitting him particularly hard as some of his local distribution points have become the target of attacks.

“Twice a month when we feed the congregation, the building has been broken into three times,” said Reverend Mercedes Tudy-Hamilton, pastor of Cain Memorial AME Church.

Reverend Tudy-Hamilton has been Cain's pastor for two years, and she said a recent increase in break-ins, vandalism and even arson has made it more difficult to care for the community they serve.

“We know we are in a part of the city where there are a lot of homeless people and they need these services,” she said.

The pastor said it's not just ongoing crime that they're dealing with. In fact, local churches and nonprofits along California Avenue are feeling the impact, including Mount Zion Baptist, where Pastor Tudy-Hamilton said there has been a history of vandalism.

“They got a grant to paint their church, and as soon as it was painted, the graffiti came,” she said.

Stay Focused Ministries said they had to put up an iron fence to protect their facility. On Brundage Lane, Brenda Jean's Sober Living recently had the catalytic converter stolen from their food bank's van.

“This can't happen,” Munoz said. “It's not just the homeless, we need this food too. I'm fine, but what about the homeless?”

These crimes don't just affect our local food banks. CAPK's food bank had 11 catalytic converters stolen last year. They cost over $25,000 to replace, and investing in an electric fence and new camera system cost even more.

Reverend Tudy-Hamilton said they had invested in better security measures such as an iron fence, but were battling constant crime.

“Someone rammed the chain link fence maybe two weeks ago and stole equipment from the contractor who was putting up the iron fence,” she said.

Munoz expressed hope that these local distribution points will receive more attention and support and that their importance will be recognized not only because of the food they offer there.

“There is a kind of camaraderie there, and you become friends with these people,” he said.

For more information about the various food distributions and their respective dates, please call 2-1-1.

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