ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A food bank that serves some of the neediest people in the area was hit by thieves.

Canned goods filling almost 20 larges boxes weighing about 1,000 pounds and worth $2,000 to $3,000 were stolen from a warehouse used by Alexandrians Involved Ecumenically (ALIVE). ALIVE Executive Director Ken Naser said the culprits rifled through the boxes and threw aside the food they didn't want.

Volunteers at the food bank don't know when the canned goods were stolen. They last saw the food at the end of February and didn't discover it missing until a few days ago.

Police are calling it a crime of opportunity. They said they saw no signs of forced entry at the warehouse.

Police said their investigation will begin with interviews with those who have closest access to the warehouse.

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ALIVE delivers food to about 12,000 people a year. With the sluggish economy, food requests have spiked 30 percent to 40 percent in the past year.

Chris Morton, a local business owner, heard about the theft and felt compelled to make a contribution. He filled up his SUV with canned tuna and tomato sauce and delivered the goods to ALIVE headquarters. He hopes his good deed will encourage other to do the same.

ALIVE volunteers will be accepting food donations from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at their main headquarters at 2723 King St. The organization shares space with Alexandria First Christian Church. Volunteers also will be accepting donations on Monday. The greatest need is for canned meats and fish.