Volunteers are scrambling to restock supplies at a food bank near Ottawa, after thieves made off with many of its Christmas turkeys.
Thieves broke into the Riceville Food Bank on Wednesday night, according to police. They stole 20 hampers of food and toys that were to be distributed to needy families in the small community over the holidays.
"Boxes were missing, there was stuff on the floor, bread was all over the floor," said Joyce Deslauriers, a volunteer at the food bank. "This is taking from the poor. I feel awful that they did this. These are people in need, people that are disabled."
Some of the presents that were to donated also need to be rewrapped. The thieves apparently opened them and took what they wanted, leaving behind whatever they weren't interested in.
"You take the life and soul out of Christmas by stealing gifts from kids. It's pretty heart wrenching," said Rev. Maynard Chant, the pastor of Prescott-Russell Church of God, which operates the food bank.
By Thursday evening, donors were stepping to help replace the stolen supplies.
However, the food bank is still in need of toys, hams, turkeys and other food so that the hampers can be delivered this weekend.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so in person at 740 Station St. in Plantagenet, Ont., about 60 kilometres east of Ottawa.
With reports from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee and CTV's Daniele Hamamdjian
