Thieves target Foodbank SA warehouse, stealing $50k worth of donated goods

Foodbank acts as a pantry to the charity sector, providing food and other goods to those in need.  (ABC News: Georgie Burgess)

Thieves have broken into one of Foodbank SA's warehouses and stolen more than $50,000 worth of donated perfumes, cosmetics and skin care products. 

The warehouse on Cross Road at Edwardstown was targeted some time after 9pm on Saturday, with the theft discovered by staff on Monday morning. 

Foodbank SA CEO Greg Pattinson said the products were donated by one the charity's partners

"These donations allowed us to provide some products for people in need who would not normally be able to afford those sorts of products." 

Foodbank has been distributing beauty products for some time to other charities like Catherine House, which offers support services to women experiencing homelessness. 

Many of the stolen products are discontinued perfumes and cosmetics no longer available in stores.  (Supplied: SA Police)

"It provides a great deal of dignity and allows them to maintain their own self esteem because these are products that people would normally go without if they are really struggling," Mr Pattinson said. 

"It's just something nice, we do some really good things on Mother's Day for example and make these products into little hampers." 

The products are also used in fundraising with all the money raised going towards buying food for those in need. 

Mr Pattinson said the warehouse was also broken into two weeks ago and the thieves would have spent at least an hour trying to break through a very secure metal door. 

"They have literally bent it in half and broke the lock mechanism in the door and then climbed over a number of pallets to get to where these cosmetics were being stored," he said. 

"We think they knew what they were doing and the sad thing is the last time this happened we actually saw some of these products being advertised on Facebook Marketplace." 

The products are discontinued lines and no longer available in store.

Police said the public should be aware if they see them advertised for cheap online. 

Foodbank distributes perfumes and cosmetics to other charities and also uses the products for fundraising.  (Supplied: Foodbank SA)

Mr Pattinson said it would cost about $10,000 to fix the warehouse security and the robbery had been very disruptive to staff and volunteers. 

"It's a distraction we just don't need, we are here trying to do good things in the community and if someone treats us with disrespect like that, takes us for granted, it just means it makes our job a hell of a lot harder," he said. 

"We will try and help you in ways that you haven't considered."

Police have asked anyone with information about the break-in or the location of the stolen products to call Crime Stoppers.