BENTONVILLE, Arkansas — Since 1976, Helping Hands Inc. has served as a community staple by providing meals, medical assistance, and paying bills for those in need.
While donation items are usually dropped off in the back of the Helping Hands Thrift Store, Assistant Director Angela Ayers says people are stealing after business hours. Ayers said when they do that, they're taking away from those who need it most.
"They're actually hurting the community because they can gladly come in here during the day and ask for a voucher for furniture, clothes, or anything like that," she said. "There is no need to take it off the back dock. They could come see us and we literally would probably give them what they need."
Over the past couple of months donation theft in the evening hours has become prominent, but Ayers never imagined it would be so often.
"We've really started noticing it all the time," she said. "But we got a new camera system that IBM has donated to us, and then that's when we realized how persistent and ongoing it is. They just grab a bunch of stuff and then some people actually stay in there and dig through it. I'm assuming it's electronics or baby stuff."
Although thefts are on an uptick, Helping Hands is continuing to take donations. The main thing the thrift store needs is food to help provide meals, but donations of any kind are welcomed.
"We take any household items that we can sell to give back to the community. So if it's big furniture and stuff or electronics or appliances, during the normal business hours would be a great time [to donate]," Ayers said.
There is a way the community can help prevent donation thefts.
"We would like people to make their donations during business hours," Ayers said. "Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 5 p.m., and then on Saturdays, 7:30 to 4 p.m."
5NEWS did reach out to Bentonville police who say they've started extra patrols in the area after hours to crack down on thefts.
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