A Co Down foodbank has been left counting the cost after thieves made off with hundreds of pounds worth of food, toiletries and vouchers in a weekend raid.
The Cornerstone Foodbank in Kilkeel, which operates in the grounds of Christ Church on Newry Street in the seaside town, was targeted sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning.
Since it began operating in September 2019, Cornerstone Foodbank has been offering a vital service to the vulnerable in the community.
Volunteers have also seen a significant increase in referrals over the period of lockdown.
They were shocked to discover the break-in early on Monday morning.
The door and padlock of the premises were badly damaged during the break-in, which is believed to have occurred sometime between 9.30pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday.
At least £500 in food and toiletries were stolen along with a further £500 in meat vouchers for use in local shops.
The foodbank, which operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, regularly receives donations from the local community as well as The Hygiene Bank charity. It supports between 30 to 40 people a month.
It also organises a "free table" on Thursdays, in conjunction with Asda in Kilkeel and the Fareshare charity, when free food and other items are given out to those who need it.
John Quinn, Cornerstone Foodbank Manager told Belfast Live : "An extension is currently being done to the church so we're operating out of a portacabin at the moment.
"The workmen alerted us on Monday morning after they noticed the chains of the gate had been cut. Whoever broke in searched the building contractors hub on site and found a roll of lead which they used to batter the door down. There's a sensor light too which they broke.
“They took items like rice, pasta, sauces, biscuits, washing tablets and other cleaning items, but left pet food and boxes of sweets behind.
“We also have an Asda trolley inside for storing and taking items out to people so it looks like they just filled it up with whatever they could get and took off with it as well.
“There were about 50 £10 meat vouchers for local butchers also taken.”
Mr Quinn added: "It's just very strange as we never refuse anyone so if someone needed food or toiletries, all they had to do was ask.
"People have been disgusted by what has happened and have been offering us donations of food. Even the foodbank in Newcastle rang us to give us food to restock but they are far busier than us so I told them to use it themselves.
"We were back up and running again on Tuesday. We just tidied everything up although there wasn't much of a mess and it was mostly a case of items having been taken. Asda supplied us with food and hygiene items on Monday so it meant we were stocked up in time to be able to hand out food parcels the next day."
Police are appealing for witnesses and those with information about the burglary to come forward.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received a report that sometime between 9.30pm on Sunday 16th January, and 8am today, Monday 17th January, entry was forced to the premises and damage caused to a portable hut.
“A quantity of foodstuffs and toiletries had been taken from the hut, and it was further discovered that an outside automatic light sensor had been removed from the door.
“Our enquiries into this incident are continuing, and we are appealing to anyone with any information which may assist, or who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area at the time, to contact 101, and quote reference number 281 of 17/01/22.”
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