Food Bank Receives Flood of Donations After Christmas Supply Theft

Christchurch Food Bank has expressed being “humbled and overwhelmed” by the influx of donations received after essential supplies, intended to feed families during the Christmas period, were stolen. The organization reported that school holiday top-up parcels and treat hampers, valued at £3,500, were taken from its storage facility on Sunday. Tracy Blick, the manager of the food bank, stated that the perpetrators utilized the food bank’s own recycling bins to “wheel it all away.” Following an appeal disseminated via its Facebook page, the food bank has been able to replenish its stock with assistance from local businesses, community groups, and area residents. Mrs. Blick commented, “They took hundreds of Christmas biscuits, cakes and chocolates that they know were going to somebody who has nothing.” Mrs. Blick conveyed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much…. community donations have been overwhelming and so humbling.” She added, “Our community shines so brightly.” She further mentioned that the food bank’s 61 volunteers “had all come in to do extra work, re-load and re-pack the food bags, everyone has been wonderful.” Dorset Police confirmed that officers are conducting thorough investigations, which include reviewing CCTV footage, and the inquiry is still active. No arrests have been made to date. Readers can find BBC Dorset content on Facebook, X, or Instagram. This material is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.