About the Don Bosco Meals on Wheels Program
For nearly 25 years, the Don Bosco Centers have provided meals for homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities through its Meals on Wheels programs. Over 400 meals are delivered each weekday in Kansas City's Northeast community. This program is one of many services provided by the Don Bosco Senior Center. In addition to providing hot, nutritious meals through its Meals on Wheels program, the Center serves lunch on-site and provides a variety of recreational activities for the community's senior adults. The goal of the Don Bosco Senior Center is to help seniors maintain independent living for as long as possible, preserving the dignity and worth of each participant.

Regarding an Incident on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
On Tuesday, March 4, 2008 Don Bosco's Meals on Wheels program suffered a setback when two armed men carjacked one of the organization's Meals on Wheels drivers near Brooklyn and Lexington in Kansas City, MO. The driver suffered minor scrapes and bruises, but was thankfully okay. Meanwhile, the thieves got away with the van and approximately 20 meals that had yet to be delivered. The van was one of five the organization uses for the program.

“It was really an appalling act,” said Nicholas Scielzo, President of the Don Bosco Centers. “We’re so thankful that our driver was okay, but are sad for our homebound seniors who weren’t able to get the meal they so depend on.”

The stolen van was a white, unmarked 1995 Chevy Cargo van, license plate MO 918 GS7. The community is encouraged to call the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS with any information. The van was also carrying approximately $2,000 in equipment for the program. Furthermore, because the van only had liability insurance, if it is not recovered the organization will incur the unexpected expense of replacing it.

The Don Bosco Centers would like to thank the community for its outstanding and overwhelming support during this time. Several community partners have come to the aid of The Don Bosco Centers, including KCMO Talk Radio 710, Kansas City Transportation Group, UMB Financial Corporation, and a number of individual donors.

“Replacing the van would be a major unforeseen expense for the organization, but we’ll do what we have to do because these people depend on us” said Scielzo. “We’re so grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve already received from the community.”

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Media Kit

The Latest Press Release (Updated 3-5-08)
Organization Fact Sheet

Links to Coverage of the Incident:

KCTV 5 #1
KCTV 5 #2
KSHB 41 #1
KSHB 41 #2
KMBC 9 #1
KMBC 9 #2
Kansas City Star #1
Kansas City Star #2
Kansas City Star #3
Kansas City Star #4
Talk Radio 710 AM (look for the post dated 3-6-08)
Talk Radio 710 AM Promo Recap