A dark green Plymouth Voyager used to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins was stolen Monday night from the Senior Services parking area at 20 Rensselaer Street in Albany.

“This theft could not happen at a worse time for our organization,” said Jane Schramm, executive director, in a release from Senior Services of Albany. “We desperately need every one of our delivery vehicles, especially right before the Thanksgiving holidays when seniors rely more than ever on us for their meals and support. This is a huge blow to us.”

The 1997 van has the number 14 on the front bumper, according to the Albany Police Department, and it may have a yellow laminated “Meals on Wheels” placard on the front dashboard; the van’s plate number is DHE 5188.

Schramm went on, “The support our programs and services provide to the elderly and caregivers is so critical, especially during these difficult economic times when the time and expense of care giving are so challenging for many caregivers. Our Meals on Wheels home-delivered meal program delivers approximately 1,000 meals each day to frail, homebound elderly all throughout Albany County and portions of the Capital District. The loss of any of our vehicles impacts us tremendously as we simply do not have the resources to easily replace them.”

If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of this vehicle, they should contact the Albany Police Department.

If anyone is interested in donating a vehicle to Senior Services Meals on Wheels, please contact either Schramm or Donna Vancavage at 465-3322.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer