By Rachel Tiffen
With Christmas approaching, most towns are preparing to welcome Santa.
But not Carterton in the Wairarapa, where a Grinch has stolen the food in the freezers at the Salvation Army.
The food was intended for those most in need.
The Sallies' door is always open, so why did burglars force their way in through a window?
They clambered inside and cleaned out freezers full of food, food to feed at least 10 needy families for Christmas.
"There was pizzas and fish, mixed vegetables, bread, some cheerios," says Lyn Beets.
"We would have given them the food willingly, without question."
It's been a bad year for the Carterton branch.
"We've had our vans tampered with, we've had petrol taken, we've had the van stolen, we've had door handles tried to be hacked off."
Ms Beets says this is the final straw. Those who already work so hard have now been forced to find more money to replenish stocks and boost security.
"We've put security lights and changed the locks and nailed up the windows, and now we're having to look at other options."
Options the police say the Sallies shouldn't even have to consider.
"Organisations like the Salvation Army do so much for our communities and particularly our vulnerable members of our communities and it's quite shocking that somebody would come here and steal food that was meant for emergency food parcels," says Snr Sgt Carolyn Watson.
Eighty-seven year old Sallies regular Jack Abbott was thrilled with his new hat, but appalled by the burglary.
"To resort to that level of thinking is certainly beyond my fairest line of thinking, and I hope they choke on it."
But despite it all Ms Beets isn't angry, saying those most in need often just don't know how to ask.
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