Food bank's Sinterklaas gifts stolen, but kids still get toys

Police are on the lookout for a burglar accused of breaking into a food bank and stealing gifts meant for children from low-income families. The incident happened overnight in Dodewaard, Gelderland at a facility run by the Kinderen van de Voedselbank, a charity that supports children with clothes, shoes, day trips to the zoo and presents on birthdays. “This morning we came in and saw someone stole shoes, gifts, and presents for Christmas and Sinterklaas,” the charity’s chairman Maurice van der Ven told the NL Times. The organization distributes gifts to as many as six thousand kids this time of year, he said. “But we have enough in stock to provide for all the kids,” he said cheerfully. The group runs a second facility as well, which Van der Ven said was “full of toys.”

Police say the offenders made off with Barbie dolls, and Boho-branded bracelets after they removed a windowpane from the location on Waalbandijk. Despite the burglary, Van der Ven was upbeat, laughing and positive about the day in general. “The kids will get the gifts, that’s all that’s important,” he said. Anyone wanting to contribute to the group can do so through their website, he said with a chuckle. “We’re always happy to get donations!” Kinderen van de Voedselbank helps support 64,000 children across the Netherlands.