Northland nonprofit says after-hours donations taken

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A local nonprofit says donations meant for people in need are disappearing after they’re dropped off.

The Northland Clothing Center says the problem stems from donors stopping by after hours.

Executive Director Marjie Siegfried-Stuber says donations dropped off after hours are getting into the wrong hands.

“We are in the business of giving to people in need and to have somebody take from this organization is just vastly disappointing,” Siegfried-Stuber said.

Siegfried-Stuber says that this is happening more often, and the center is now catching those responsible on camera.

Security footage shows a car pulling up with a woman rushing out to look in a donation box while a man approaches. She grabs a bag of donations and they leave.

“When I watch a huge bag of clothing stolen, I wonder what was in that bag,” Siegfried-Stuber said. “Were those children’s shoes?”

Siegfried-Stuber says there is a proper way for people who need clothing to get help.

“If those people need clothing, we have signage everywhere saying, here’s how to call and get an appointment,” she said.

The center has called police several times, but was told there is not much they can do because they don’t know what’s in the bags or how much they’re worth.

The center has a simple request for donors: don’t leave donations on their doorstep.

“If the expectation from a donor is that their clothing is going to go to somebody who really needs it, chances are it’s not if they’re not coming when we’re here,” Siegfried-Stuber said.

The Northland Clothing Center is open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as the first Saturday of the month. That’s when volunteers are available to accept donations.