Vandals attack Ontario Eastern Little League just before opening weekend, dealing a blow to funding – World Time Todays

ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC)– The Ontario Eastern Little League is rebuilding its food stand after $2,500 worth of snack bar equipment and snacks were stolen ahead of its inaugural weekend.

Ontario’s Eastern Little League Treasurer Aaron Matthiesen noticed something was wrong when the latch securing the food truck’s doors was cut open.

“Pretty much everything was gone,” Matthiesen said. “They destroyed approximately $2,500 worth of snack bar equipment and snacks that we had provided for the first game weekend, which begins tomorrow.”

The concession stand’s hot dog roller and nacho warmer are gone as the entire trailer has been wiped clean.

A snack stand may seem trivial, but for the Ontario Little League, it means so much more than some corn dogs and nachos. Money from the concession stand supports players by providing them with necessary league items such as equipment.

“The snack bar is the number one source of revenue for a little league,” said Matthiesen. “All the money goes back to the children. It buys gear, kids don’t have helmets, kids don’t have racquets, kids don’t have gloves, we buy that for them and we make them available to them as a league.”

To make matters worse, the thieves also smashed a window in the old diner building, which is currently being shaken for renovation work.

Luckily for the league and its players, the Ontario Police Association has stepped in to provide them with a $2,500 donation to help cover costs incurred by the heist.

“The Ontario Police Officers Association has graciously committed to donating the lost $2,500 that came from their association dues, which is fantastic,” Matthiesen said. “We can’t thank them enough.”

The city will also install lights and wireless cameras for added security to ensure the league can continue.

A GoFundMe was also set up to replace the snacks and other items.