‘Who breaks into a food bank?’: Community left ‘broken’ after food bank burglary

A community has been left “broken” after a food bank was burgled and all its donations were stolen.

The Lewisham Foodbank warehouse in Maltham Road, Forest Hill, was broken into on Monday evening and all of the cash donations and staff phones were taken.

Sarah Vitty, 37, project manager at the food bank said the organisation “needs all the donations it can get”.

“We have CCTV footage so we know what happened,” said Ms Vitty. “Someone forced entry through the front door and stole all the money, as well as damaging the door.

“They took our petty cash tin and some financial donations that were waiting to be banked, as well as a staff phone.

“It’s really disappointing for staff and volunteers. It has a big impact on how we can help people. We’re already feeling quite stretched. It’s very sad.”

The food bank has seen an enormous increase in users since last November, as the cost of living crisis deepened.

“The numbers have really increased,” added Ms Vitty. “There’s been a 65 per cent increase since November.

“We’re finding it quite challenging to meet the need. we want to make sure we can reach everyone in the community.”

The money that was stolen would have been spent on food for the bank’s food parcels, including extra essentials such as nappies or sanitary products.

Lewisham Foodbank currently provides food and essentials to around 600 people a week.

The food bank posted on Twitter yesterday: “This morning we arrived at work to find that our warehouse had been broken into. Work phones, donations, petty cash etc taken.

“They knew what they were doing. We are a little bit broken today, already struggling with being short staffed. Tough day.”

Who breaks into a Foodbank?

This morning we arrived at work to find that our warehouse had been broken into. Work phones, donations, petty cash etc taken. They knew what they were doing.

We are a little bit broken today, already struggling with being short staffed. Tough day.

— Lewisham Foodbank (@lewishamfood) July 18, 2023

A spokeswoman from the Met said: “Police were called at around 9.45am on Tuesday, July 18, to a report of a burglary at a food bank on Malham Road, SE23.

“Phone and a quantity of cash were reported to have been stolen. Enquiries remain ongoing.”

If you would like to donate to Lewisham Food Bank please you can do so at: https://www.justgiving.com/lewisham-foodbank

Pictured top: Lewisham Foodbank staff and volunteers (Picture: Lewisham Foodbank)