Thieves steal poppy donation boxes in Calgary

A Calgary charity says it's "pathetic" that people would steal from veterans after atleast 21 poppy donation boxes were stolen from stores across the city.

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The most recent theft took place on Monday, according to Calgary police.

"They're stealing from soldiers [who]actually gave them the freedoms they have to be wandering the streets,"saidDavid Howard ofthe Canadian Legacy Project.

"So it's a pathetic thing for it to happen," he added.

Howardsays poppy boxes often collect about $50each funds that are desperately needed this yearbecause donations are down 11per cent.

"It's a tough economic climate in Calgary [so]every dollar counts,"Howard said.

"Those dollars are used to support our vetsand those in need, and for the veterans' food drive ...that's a lot of money."

Police say they're working with retailers to make sure they don't keep a lot of money in the boxes.

They say the theft of poppy donations is often a crime of opportunity and desperation.