Cambridge Food Bank targeted by arson

A case of arson, targeting the Cambridge Food Bank on Ainslie Street Monday night.

The food bank said three condenser units for their walk-in fridge and freezer were targeted around 8:30 p.m.

No one was hurt, but police said around $5,000 in damage was done.

Cambridge Food Bank Executive Director Dianne McLeod told CityNews 570, they are still working on the final number, but around $6,000 to $10,000 in food was lost.

“We had all of our Halal meat that we had collected for Eid, to give to folks who were going to be breaking their fast at the end of Ramadan, we were able to save just a tiny bit of that.”

She noted the food that wasn’t damaged had to be given to community partners, since they can’t refrigerate it until the units are fixed. They also can’t accept any perishable donations at the moment.

“I don’t think they are criminal masterminds or anything, I think they are probably struggling humans who made a truly stupid decision. I truly hope that if they would come to me … we could talk about reparations and how they can make amends. I don’t want anything bad to happen to them but they also put lives at risk too, it could have been much more serious.”

A 30-year-old man from Cambridge has been charged with arson in connection with the fire.

McLeod said their security footage shows at least two people involved. Police said part of their ongoing investigation involves determining whether there were more suspects.