Thefts Turn Out to Be a Blessing in Disguise for Salvation Army : Charity: Donations pour in, more than making up for the loss of items intended for needy families this Christmas.

Good Samaritans, responding to two burglaries at a Salvation Army warehouse in Torrance, have turned what could have been a disappointing Christmas for hundreds of needy South Bay families into a blessing by flooding the charity with yet more food, toys and even Christmas trees.

The outpouring of new donations followed two recent break-ins at the warehouse where hundreds of pieces of baby and children’s clothing were stolen. When reports of the burglaries surfaced, donations started pouring in.

In fact, so many corporations and individuals responded with gifts of food and money--and even vouchers for Christmas trees--that the agency will be able to assist families that had previously been turned away.

“At this point, we not only expect to offset the loss, but expand our program as well,” said Lt. Kenneth Hodder, commanding officer of the Salvation Army’s Torrance corps. “The outpouring of support has been tremendous. . . . You can’t imagine how reassuring that is. It’s just been something short of miraculous.”

The most recent burglary occurred on Thanksgiving when a second-story window was forced open at the Maple Avenue warehouse and its electrical system vandalized. Until an inventory is completed, officials are not sure whether canned goods or other items were stolen.

On Nov. 21, Salvation Army officials discovered the theft of at least $4,000 worth of clothing intended as Christmas surprises for needy children. Police said burglars apparently gained access through a window.

“It makes us sad, but there’s a desperate person out there doing this,” said Dave Risher, social services director for the Torrance corps. “We’d like to reach out to that person. I just tend to think it is someone who is hurting very badly, either through drugs or alcohol.”

Torrance police are stepping up patrols of the warehouse, which is about one block from the police station. And, because of the break-ins, the charity will store its donated Christmas toys and clothing at another, undisclosed location.

There are no suspects in the burglaries, which may be related, Sgt. Dave Smith said.

The Salvation Army has used the warehouse, which is vacant, during the holidays for two months during each of the past two years.

The stolen clothes, including new Bugle Boy and Gymboree jeans and jackets, were to be handed out to 600 needy families. Salvation Army officials feared they would be hard-pressed to make up the loss, but now say they will be able to serve even more than the 600 families originally planned.

Dow Chemical USA pledged $1,000 after hearing of the theft, and several other corporations have followed suit with varying amounts, Hodder said.

“In a strange way, the perpetrators of the break-ins have helped the Salvation Army,” Hodder said.

The influx of donations comes at a time when demand for Salvation Army services is greater than ever. The Torrance corps provides assistance to about 800 families each week, more than double the number of families served last year, officials said.

“There’s a lot of hidden poverty, people on the razor’s edge in this area,” said Risher, as volunteers at the warehouse quickly filled grocery bags with canned goods for Christmas distribution. “Ninety percent of these bags will go to Torrance residents.”