Photo: Contributed - West Kelowna Community Food Bank

Thieves made not one, but two attempts to gain entry into the West Kelowna Community Food Bank over the long weekend.

Food bank executive director Lenetta Parry, said she got a call about 8 p.m. Saturday night from the alarm company about a potential break in.

"I went to the food bank and police were already on scene. They notified me that there had been an attempted break and enter on the premises," said Parry.

"We worked with police to make sure no entry had been made and made sure the windows were secure. The premises were secured and I left about 9:30."

It appears the would be thieves had attempted to jimmy the door with no success.

Sometime later that evening or Sunday morning, they returned and tried again.

"I arrived at the food bank Sunday morning to find there had been further damage to the door. It appears the thieves tried to make their way back in a desperate attempt to get into the food bank.

"They didn't get in. Two attempts but no entry."

Parry said a possible motive for the attempted break in is not clear. She said the food bank doesn't keep cash or valuables on site.

"We do have a freezer on the side of the building which we keep stocked with bread and buns and muffins and sandwiches. We fill it daily," said Parry.

"There was an emergency phone number on the door so if people needed food over the long weekend they could simply call."

Parry said it's hard to know if this was a case of people wanting food or if it was just a random act of vandalism.

The attempted break in will set the food bank back about $1,000. Parry said a company was prepared to donate the work however, they were not able to do the work until the weekend.

Vandals also were able to get into the Salvation Army Thrift Store drop off site in West Kelowna and caused some damage.

Cause of that damage, if any, is not known.