A smash-and-grab in Hyattsville has turned into a gut punch for a local food program, after thousands of dollars' worth of meal tokens meant for people in need vanished from an employee’s car over the weekend, according to the D.C.-based nonprofit that runs the effort.
The group says roughly 2,400 physical “Breadcoins” were taken, a stash worth about $7,000 to $8,000 in meals. That loss, the organization warns, translates directly into fewer plates of food for families who rely on the tokens. Breadcoin has put up a reward and is urging anyone with information to help get the coins back into circulation.
Prince George’s County police told WTOP they are investigating the Sunday morning break-in. Breadcoin CEO Scott Borger told the station the employee had collected the tokens over several days before the theft. He said the haul came to roughly 2,400 coins, which he estimated at about $7,500 in meal value, and that the loss immediately cuts into the dollars the nonprofit can distribute.
Because the tokens are physical pieces and are not numbered, the foundation says there is no administrative way to cancel or trace them like a gift card. Once they are gone, there is no digital switch to flip.
How the tokens work
Breadcoin runs a physical-token system that participating restaurants and food trucks accept as payment. Customers pay with Breadcoins, and the nonprofit later redeems the tokens and reimburses vendors on a monthly schedule.
According to Breadcoin, its network includes more than 150 participating vendors across the D.C. area and nearby counties. The program is built to preserve dignity by giving recipients real choice about when and where to eat, instead of simply handing out prepackaged meals.
Local vendors feel the sting
On the ground, the loss hits small businesses that take Breadcoins as much as it hurts the nonprofit.
Blossom Bakery founder Marissa Jacobson told FOX 5 DC that “every dollar counts, every coin counts,” especially when those coins help cover food for neighbors who are struggling. Borger called the incident “heartbreaking.”
NBC4 reported the foundation is offering a $1,000 reward in Breadcoins for the safe return of the tokens and has asked the public to be extra vigilant at vendors' registers.
Practical and legal notes
Investigators caution that, in practice, these coins work a lot like cash: whoever has them can spend them, and there is no serial number to deactivate, WTOP reports.
That setup means the foundation remains financially responsible for reimbursing vendors even while the stolen tokens are out of its hands. Prince George’s County police say anyone with information should contact their tip line as the investigation continues.
How you can help
Breadcoin says anonymous returns are welcome and is asking anyone who spots unusually large quantities of the distinctive coins at local vendors to contact the foundation through its website, Breadcoin. The nonprofit is also accepting donations to help replace the meal value lost in the theft while investigators work to recover the tokens.
For criminal tips, people should reach out directly to Prince George’s County police, while the foundation continues posting updates and contact information on its site.
