News
28 November, 2023
Thieves dine on donations
Thousands of dollars in donations meant for the homeless have been taken from a community group’s storeroom in what has been described as “absolutely disgusting behaviour”.
Norah Abraham had been collecting food items since August and storing them at the Burpengary Community Association, with the hope of distributing hampers to the homeless and disadvantaged.
But last Sunday, she and her husband were stunned to find someone had gained access to the storeroom and stolen more than half of their donations, including brand-name cereals, biscuits, pasta and dozens of sauce jars.
Other objects were found smashed and broken, with Norah estimating over $2,500 worth of items were lost or damaged.
“This is absolutely disgusting behaviour, especially since whoever did it had to know why those boxes were there,” Norah told The Sentinel.
Police investigated and concluded that whoever entered the storeroom had used a key.
Norah is now making her own enquiries.
“If I have to, I will go to Council to get compensation for the community, because these things belong to everyone who donated and they want to see their money going towards what it was intended,” Norah passionately explained.
“I need to know the Association is taking this seriously because it is not okay that some(one)... has taken advantage of the trust and good will of the community.”
Given the amount of items stolen, the donation baskets aren’t going to be what she envisioned. Less baskets can be made with less nice products, but Norah said she is still going to do what she can.
The remaining items she is going to donate to the Caboolture Community Action, to use with their hamper donations.
“I’m very upset about this because it not only affects the people receiving the donations, but also the people giving them,” Norah said.
“I don’t want the action of one disgusting human being to scare people away from donating in the future.”
Norah took her disappointment and anger to Facebook, sharing the occurrence on various community boards.
Her posts gained a lot of attention, with numerous community members trying to find ways to help. While she appreciates the support, she said it’s not the community’s responsibility to replace what was taken.
“Whoever could donate already did and it’s the Association’s responsibility to fi x this,” Norah said.
“Thank you to everyone who donated and please don’t stop donating because of one incident.”
