Thieves in Summerland have continued to go after donations as they recently raided the bin behind the Critteraid Charity Thrift Shoppe.
In a social media post on Nov. 26, the charity organization said five different thieves visited the donation box on the previous night. These included a woman with a baby on foot, a couple in a car and three cyclists. The last cyclist left the box open, so everything in the donation box was soaked by the rain.
The store, which funds the Summerland animal sanctuary, has security cameras set up, watching the donation boxes after hours.
鈥淭his morning after reviewing the camera recording we are angry but mainly sad,鈥� a post on the charity鈥檚 Facebook page read. 鈥淭hey are taking away from our animals that we care so much about.鈥�
The shop is asking for people to donate between noon and 4 p.m. daily while there is a donation receiver on-site.
Critteraid was formed more than 30 years ago as a cat sanctuary. In the years following, it has grown to become a rescue and shelter for cats, dogs and other animals.
鈥淥ur charity store is our main source of revenue for allowing us to rescue,鈥� the post read. 鈥淲e rely on the donations we receive.鈥�
Laurie Stewart of Critteraid said the thefts are affecting those who are in need. 鈥淛ust because it鈥檚 outside doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 yours for the taking.鈥� she said.
In an effort to prevent similar thefts in the future, Stewart said the charity store will get rid of its existing donation box and will replace it with a metal bin.
The charity shop was opened in 2012 and has operated out of its location at 13208 Victoria Rd. N. since 2013. It is staffed by volunteers.
This is the second account of thefts to a thrift store donation bin in Summerland within recent weeks.
Earlier, volunteers at the Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary Thrift Store, also on Victoria Road North, said items had been disappearing from the donation bins there before staff and volunteers had been able to process them. There have also been attempts to pry open the metal doors to the store.
