Stolen Meals on Wheels van back home, but badly damaged

For the men and women who focus on providing nutritious meals for seniors and others who aren't able to get out of their homes on a regular basis, news that a stolen delivery van had been found in the Seattle area last week was good news.

However, the van had be hotwired to get it home, and organizers say it's badly damaged.

Investigators believe the vehicle was stolen from the Meals on Wheels location on Fowler Street in Richland sometime overnight on November 12th, and used to transport marijuana to Seattle. It had to be thoroughly cleaned out to remove the residue and odor of the plants.

Locks on the doors were broken, the steering wheel and column were damaged, and the thieves spray painted over the logo and the inside of the windows. The van's license plates are missing, along with a van oven, four cooler carriers, about $5,800 in other equipment.

Despite the set back, the organization continues to serve the community. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, volunteers delivered five shelf-stable meals to each of its clients, just in case bad weather or other circumstances make it difficult for them to deliver fresh meals during the winter.