Thefts of clothes from donation bins in Sudbury part of a city-wide spike in thefts

Some businesses in Greater Sudbury that help the vulnerable are discouraged because they are dealing with a recent increase in shoplifting.

Increased reports of theft have been affecting some businesses here in Sudbury.

In one case, Nickel City Surplus took to Facebook to talk about an increasing issue with shoplifting.

Other local businesses also spoke about similar challenges in the comments section, including Closet Share.

Closet Share founder Melissa Porter said the thefts make her “really sad,” especially since the goal of her business is to provide clothing for people who need it.

“I understand we have a big abundance of clothing, but it makes me sad that they’re not utilizing the resources,” Porter said.

She began Closet Share after she learned of someone who suffered a house fire. Porter and her family came together to provide the family with a new start with free clothing.

Free clothing available

That fuelled her to begin Closet Share, a non-profit that provides free clothing to those in need.

“Everything is posted on our website,” Porter said.

“Including these clothes behind me, and, you have access to 10 free items every single week by using blue tokens. So once you create a free account, you get 10 free blue tokens. And then that equals 10 free items every single week.”

Yet some people have taken to emptying their donation bins, which has increased the work for her family and the 69 volunteers at Closet Share.

“I don’t have an issue with, you know, giving the clothing to the community,” Porter said.

“But we work with all the organizations in Sudbury, so we want to make sure that it’s accessible to everybody. And we’ve made those efforts to do that.”

Closet Share is not alone in dealing with increased theft in Sudbury. Police spokesperson Sarah Kaelas said theft reports have skyrocketed in the last year.

 “From Jan. 1 to July 27 of 2024, versus the same time period in 2025, we’ve actually seen a 94 per cent increase in shop theft, which is a pretty significant number,” Kaelas said.

The police advise store owners to report all thefts and use anti-theft devices to protect themselves.

“We strongly recommend (that) shop owners install security cameras so that there is footage available should there be a theft,” Kaelas said.

“Also, advertise on the exterior of your store, saying that you do have this camera footage. Make your store very well-lit. Educate your staff on, you know, monitoring customer behaviour. If there’s anything suspicious, report it to their supervisor and ultimately to police.”

She said rising costs are helping drive thefts.

“Socioeconomic factors, societal pressures, which is not a justification or an excuse for crime,” Kaelas said.

Porter said that she is empathetic to people in challenging circumstances -- which is why she began Closet Share.

But she said there is a right way and a wrong way of accessing free clothing from the non-profit that is safe for all.