More than $2 million in toys and donations have been stolen from the Salvation Army in Toronto over the last two years.
According to the Associated Press , toys, food and other donations were taken from the Railside Road facility in Toronto. The organization said that it only recently became aware of the issue. A whistleblower stepped forward over the Summer and the Salvation Army has launched an internal audit.
Toronto police are also investigating the crime.
Constable Tony Vella said:
“A representative from the east division of the Salvation Army filed a complaint with police back on September 27 with regard to a theft/fraud investigation and the investigation has been assigned to the 33 Division major crime unit.”
The Globe And Mail notes that the Salvation Arm recently fired its executive director. The organization has not, however, linked the firing to the $2 million in stolen toys. The Salvation Army also recently fired its executive director in Ottawa after discovering that that $250,000 had disappeared from their operating budget.
The Salvation Army may be $2 million short at the moment but the organization is about to see a big influx in cash. The organization is about to launch its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign to collect money and donations for needy families.