Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest Canada, says thieves did around $70,000 worth of damage to the food rescue trucks. <\/p>\n
Seven trucks belonging Canada\u2019s largest food rescue organization will likely be out of commission for two or three weeks after an unknown number of suspects broke into their Toronto truck yard, cut through the vehicles\u2019 exhaust systems, and stole their catalytic converters over the Thanksgiving weekend, Second Harvest says.<\/p>\n
The charitable organization, which is located at 120 The East Mall, just north of The Queensway, in Etobicoke, says the incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday and in a matter of minutes, its CEO Lori Nikkel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are deeply disappointed and outraged that someone would target a charity working to feed people in need, especially over Thanksgiving weekend,\u201d she wrote in a statement provided to CP24.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe damage means we now have to replace both the catalytic converters and the damaged exhaust components, leaving seven trucks out of service.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/XR42ZJ5WX5B3FEBGTTDZDIMHUI.jpeg\")
Second Harvest catalytic converter theft Oct. 11 A screengrab from surveillance footage showing what appears to be suspects removing a catalytic converter from a Second Harvest truck in the charity’s Etobicoke yard on Oct. 11. (Second Harvest footage) <\/p>\n
Second Harvest has shared security camera footage of the alleged incident with CP24, along with a photo showing the individuals who reportedly entered their truck yard.<\/p>\n
Toronto police confirm they\u2019re aware of the incident and are looking into the matter.<\/p>\n
\u2018Lifeline for our community\u2019<\/p>\n
Nikkel later told CTV NewsChannel that they\u2019ll be looking into increasing security.<\/p>\n
She added that the affected vehicles are a \u201clifeline for our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c(We deliver) rescued food directly to more than 300 non-profit organizations across Toronto, helping them feed people who are struggling to put food on the table,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
Second Harvest added that having seven of its trucks off the road means deliveries will be \u201cdirectly impacted at a time when the need for food support is already overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n
The charity, which works to fight hunger by redistributing surplus food to people in need across the country, says the cost of the repairs is estimated to be $80,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is money that should be going toward rescuing good food and feeding people in our city, not repairing damage caused by theft. We\u2019re asking Torontonians to rally around us,\u201d Nikkel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. Our team is doing everything we can to restore our fleet and keep food moving to the communities that depend on us.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/NSZ7VZBAVNDAHANBQDW43NQURE.jpeg\")
Second Harvest truck vandalized Oct. 11 One of seven Second Harvest delivery trucks that were vandalized on Oct. 11 is pictured. (Second Harvest photo) Charity\u2019s vehicles previously targeted<\/p>\n