Salvation Army staff arrived at work this morning to the devastating discovery that thieves had stolen food collected for the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas foodbank appeal.
Salvation Army Captain Amanda Martin said the theft was at the Salvation Army Church on Old Taupo Rd in the youth hall and was discovered today when staff arrived for work at 9am.
"It's devastating for us," she said.
"It's disgusting really, to steal from the hand that feeds you."
Thieves climbed onto a flat roof and removed high louvre windows and lowered themselves into the hall which was not alarmed.