NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A tree fell on a THRIVE Peninsula box truck and two other vehicles in the nonprofit’s parking lot at 12749 Nettles Drive during severe weather Monday, destroying the single refrigerated truck the group used to collect and deliver food to its free grocery store, officials said.
Immediate impact on food distribution
The truck, a refrigerated or "reefer" box truck gifted to THRIVE Peninsula by the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank in 2023, was the organization’s only box truck, Executive Director Angela York told reporters as cleanup was underway Wednesday. York said the cab and refrigeration box were extensively damaged.
"The box truck is totally destroyed. I mean, the cab is destroyed. It's a reefer truck, so the refrigerator box is destroyed," York said.
THRIVE uses the vehicle daily to pick up food donations, move donated goods and deliver supplies to clients. With the truck out of service, the nonprofit has shifted to relying on volunteers to pick up food and transport donations, a workaround York described as operationally challenging and costly.
Insurance, cleanup and community assistance
The organization confirmed it has full insurance coverage for the damage caused by the weather. York and staff are still assessing what out-of-pocket costs may remain for rentals or eventual replacement. She expressed uncertainty about any daily rental fees the insurance might not cover and the long-term cost of buying a replacement box truck.
After THRIVE posted on social media seeking help, local company Kenny's Street and Crane responded and spent a day removing the tree, clearing debris and trimming potentially hazardous branches at no charge. Owner Kenny Jutras said the company and his church frequently support the nonprofit.
"We like THRIVE. We support them all the time and try to help them. Our church supports them. … They just do great things out here," Jutras said.
- Location of incident: 12749 Nettles Drive, Newport News
- Vehicle: Refrigerated (reefer) box truck, donated by Virginia Peninsula Foodbank in 2023
- Casualties: No injuries reported
Operational challenges and next steps
Without their box truck, THRIVE faces logistical hurdles in maintaining regular food pickups and deliveries. The organization is arranging a rental truck to bridge the gap but expects additional costs that could strain its budget. Volunteers have been filling the immediate transportation needs, but sustaining that model long term may be difficult, particularly for larger or refrigerated loads.
York said the nonprofit is still determining what the insurance will cover and how quickly a replacement vehicle can be acquired. In the meantime, the free labor from Kenny's Street and Crane has helped clear the site and reduce near-term hazards in the nonprofit's parking area.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 12749 Nettles Drive, Newport News |
| Vehicle status | Refrigerated box truck — destroyed |
| Injuries | None reported |
| Immediate assistance | Cleanup and tree removal by Kenny's Street and Crane (free) |
The incident highlights the vulnerability of social service operations to local severe weather and the importance of contingency planning for asset loss. For clients who rely on THRIVE's free grocery services, disruption to regular pickups and refrigerated transport could affect the variety and volume of perishable items the nonprofit is able to distribute.
THRIVE has not released a timeline for replacement of the vehicle. Community members who want to assist should monitor the nonprofit’s social channels for updates on volunteer needs and donation opportunities as officials determine repair, rental and replacement costs.
This report is based on statements from THRIVE Peninsula and on-scene reporting of cleanup efforts Wednesday. No injuries were reported in the incident.
