Mustard Seed asking for donations after van stolen, totaled in hit-and-run crash

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Central Florida’s only furniture and clothing bank is asking for donations after its van was stolen and involved in a hit and run.

“We never expected this to happen and that is one of the things that I have heard from our clients you never know what can happen,” Executive Director Kathy Baldwin said.

Video: Mustard Seed charity continues to help others after pandemic forces massive layoffs

Winter Park Police said the suspect took off in the organization’s 12 passenger van while it was getting detailed. Officers said the suspect sped down Fairbanks Avenue before crashing into an elderly woman who was driving a blue car on Orange Avenue.

Police said the suspect then stopped another driver and convinced them to take him to the hospital.

The van was totaled.

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“We need this van because we use it to transport individuals from other nonprofits and social service agencies to assist us in volunteering,” Baldwin said. “We use it to pick up items that are for a household at stores and retailers. We also use it to deliver items to those families that are in need it’s very crucial to our operation.”

The non-profit helps about 1,200 families a year by providing furniture, clothing and other household essentials.

The Mustard Seed started a GoFundMe to raise money to purchase a new van. Click here for details.

Video: Mustard Seed charity continues to help others after pandemic forces massive layoffs From natural disasters to personal problems the non-profit Muster Seed is there to help. But the pandemic has forced the group to cut its staff by half.

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