Thieves hit disaster recovery centre

disaster resource centre say rumours that the centre is closing are untrue, The Kansas City Star writes.

Someone has been distributing a flyer, saying the Joplin Family Worship Centre's Disaster Resource Centre is closing.

Spokesman Lowell Lane says the flyer also incorrectly tells people that they should help themselves to its supplies.

He said the flyers may be connected with a recent theft, The Joplin Globe notes. “The flyer thing just started last week,” Lane said. “We've had thefts going on for weeks, but whoever did it the other night, they probably brought a truck.”

He said someone, last Thursday night, took large quantities of packaged food and drink items, and 40 to 50 boxes of clothes that already had been sorted by size and type.

Among them was a shipment of sports team hoodies. They are all items that probably could easily by resold, he said.

Joplin police are investigating the thefts, KCTV 5 News says. The Joplin Globe reports the centre has helped more than 21 000 people since the 22 May tornado.