THOUSANDS of pounds worth of stock has been stolen from a Glasgow food bank.
Members of Glasgow South West Foodbank, which supports families across the city's Southside, say they suffered an overnight break-in at their Cardonald Foodbank Centre between April 10 and April 11.
The service operates from Hillington Park Parish Church, and the organisers said its storage area was broken into and vandalised during the incident.
The food bank said it has led to the loss of "thousands of pounds worth of stock and materials".
Staff at the charity said the break-in came at a "particularly unfortunate" time as they have been facing an increase in demand, higher food costs, and fewer donations.
Despite the "upsetting" incident and the mess that was left behind, no one was injured and volunteers and staff were able to open the centre as normal on Friday.
However, they were left "disheartened".
A statement posted to Glasgow South West Foodbank’s Facebook page reads: “The premises that we operate our Cardonald Foodbank Centre from, Hillington Park Parish Church, was broken into overnight between April 10 and 11.
“Our storage area was burgled and vandalised, leading to the loss of thousands of pounds worth of stock and materials.
“We were the only organisation operating from the church that was affected. We are a small, independent, local charity.
“We already have an urgent appeal running to try and raise desperately needed funds to allow us to continue operating in the current challenging climate.
“We have been facing an increase in demand, increased food costs and a decrease in donations, so this incident has happened at a particularly unfortunate time for us.
“Due to the strength and tenacity of our staff and volunteers, we were able to open the centre, as normal, on Friday morning and serve the people who attended needing our help.
“Thankfully, no one was on the premises when the break-in occurred, and no one was hurt. But clearing up all the mess left behind was very upsetting, as, of course, was the loss of stock.
“We are a small team who work extremely hard helping vulnerable people in our community, and this has, quite honestly, been so disheartening for us.
“We delayed announcing what had happened in the hope that those responsible would come forward; sadly, they have not.
“The crime was reported to Police Scotland on Friday morning, and anyone with any further information is asked to contact them.”
Following the incident, an appeal for donations has been launched to help replenish stock.
Those interested in contributing can do so by visiting the food bank’s website or by dropping off items at its warehouse (located on Elderpark Street) or its drop-off points in local supermarkets.
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
