A Christchurch food bank is “absolutely heartbroken, mad, and gutted to the core” after thieves broke in and stole frozen and chilled food meant for hundreds of families in need, but are “overwhelmed and humbled” by support from the community.
Two men dressed in balaclavas and gloves were caught on CCTV breaking the locks of the food bank’s walk-in freezer and chiller on Sunday night before making off with large quantities of meat and other items.
In all, around four to five months worth of stock was taken.
“You have completely depleted all supplies of any meat and frozen and chilled items that were going out to hundreds of whānaus who genuinely need the help to put kai on the table in their homes,” a post by the food bank to Facebook read.
The Hoon Hay Food Bank said they managed to replenish their stocks thanks to support from the community. (Source: 1News)
“You’re not stealing from us, you have stolen from hundreds of whānaus across Christchurch.”
The post, which was addressed to the thieves, said if they needed food they should have just asked but that the amount of food taken suggested it would be sold.
“We have 121 whānaus booked in this week already with more to be responded to, and you have taken from the mouths of every member of every one.”
The Hoon Hay Food Bank was broken into on Sunday at around 10.30pm. (Source: Supplied)
Despite the emotional blow, the outpouring of support the foodbank had received since the news broke was “very humbling and overwhelming”, co-founder Nicole Sutherland said.
She told 1News that within an hour of making the post on Monday, they had received enough meat to replace what was taken.
“It’s more than we could have ever dreamed of, overnight we’ve had huge companies reach out to us with truckloads of donations.”
Co-founder Corrin Webster said if they hadn’t received the donations today there would have been no meat products or anything like that for the food parcel.
“It means the world to us. Now all these families booked in this week will get their frozen meats and other products lie that.”
The organisation was accepting donations of food to replace what was taken at its McCarthy St location.
Police confirmed a report of a robbery on McCarthy St believed to have occurred at around 10.30pm on Sunday.
Anyone with relevant information was asked to contact police on 105.
