An operation with the sole aim of giving back to the greater good of the community has become the target of recent thefts and vandalism.

The Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary (CHCA) Thrift Store on 8^thAvenue has recently been targeted by what volunteers say is “several groups” of people stealing donated items left at the store’s drop off area, accessed by the alley at the back of the premises.

“We have a secure after hours drop off box attached to our building which is being vandalized every night by several groups of people,” a CHCA spokesperson told e-KNOW.

“We have even documented a car arriving in the early hours of the morning with a man and woman occupants. They vandalized our drop off box and took off with several large bags of donations.

“We are dealing with some of our neighbours on this matter. They are upset that our donations received after hours are such an attraction.”

Thanks to security camera upgrades just before Christmas, the CHCA has passed images on to Cranbrook RCMP and made formal complaints.

In the meantime the CHCA is asking donors to drop off their donations at their back door during business hours, Monday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to – 4:30 p.m.

“We are really asking our donors for their help  during this time,” the CHCA spokesperson said.

Additionally, the CHCA said it is in the process of securing a more modern and safer donation drop-off box, “but this will take time and in the meantime it would help if we can receive our very precious donations during business hours.”

Images courtesy CHCA

e-KNOW

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