By Spencer Sterritt

Donation box stolen from Nanaimo Habitat for Humanity ReStore in ‘disheartening’ theft

Aug 28, 2017 | 10:50 AM

NANAIMO — Staff at the mid-island chapter of the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore can’t believe a $500 donation tin was stolen in a break-in.

Surveillance footage showed thieves throwing a rock through the window behind the ReStore till, entering the Mostar Rd. building and stealing their chained-down donation tin on Saturday, Aug. 26.

Sarah Pachkowsky, community engagement manager for Habitat for Humanity, said there the donations would have been used to build more homes for less fortunate Nanaimo families.

“That’s people’s money they wanted to go to a cause, not into somebody else’s pocket,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The ReStore is a key fundraising stream for Habitat for Humanity, helping fund projects to establish affordable, interest-free mortgages for Nanaimo area families in need by selling new and used home furnishings and materials.

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“Anything that’s taken from us directly comes from the bottom line and will hurt the cause we have. But the fact they went right for the donation bin, there’s something even more disheartening about that more than just trying to steal a piece of merchandise.”

In the few days since posting online about the theft, Pachkowsky said they’re been overwhelmed with messages of support for the ReStore and also people wanting to donate to help replace the stolen money.

Pachkowsky said they appreciate the community response, but the main message she wants others to take from the incident is to be vigilant and make sure similar thefts don’t happen again.

Surveillance video of the theft was turned over to Nanaimo RCMP, who confirmed they’re investigating.

This incident comes just a week after $4,000 worth of solar panels were stolen from Nanaimo Foodshare.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_Sterrit