Thieves hit Surrey food bank 5 times in 6 days

A food bank inSurrey, B.C., has become the latest victim of thieves targeting charities in the lead-up to the holiday season inthe Vancouver area.

Volunteers arrived at the facility Monday morning to find windows smashed, desks trashed, computers and tools stolen.

It was the fifth time in the past six days that thieves have hit the food bank on 135th St. in the troubled Whalley neighbourhood.

The latest break-in occurred just before a newly hired security guard started work late Sunday night. Staff estimated the damage at$12,000.

The news of the break-in comes just after a CBC telethon raised more than $326,000 for food banks across B.C. on Friday.

Surrey Food Bank executive director Marilyn Herrmann said thateven though the facility is surrounded by barbed wire, staff keep no money on the site.

"Sure we have events, we raise money in the community, but nothing stays in this building or comes to this building. So please, you know, don't hit us. We are a food bank. We are trying to serve 14,000 people every month," said Herrmann.

Salvation Army goods recovered

Last week, thieves broke into a Salvation Army building in Vancouver and took an estimated $25,000 in food intended for Christmas hampers and electronic giftsfor local teenagers.

Police recovered some of the goods over the weekend, but Salvation Army Maj. Brian Venables said donors had already replaced the lost items.

"When our disaster hit, I immediately got calls from the president of the Vancouver food bank. Union Gospel Mission called to see how they could help. We will do the same thing with the Surrey Food Bank," he said.

Venables said he believes charities may be targeted because they don't spend much on security, but the Salvation Army is now considering a new alarm system.