An Adelaide charity shop has had about $500 worth of donated goods stolen during a targeted break-in caught on camera.

CCTV footage shows a woman entering Sturt charity Second Chances SA about 3am yesterday and spending close to an hour filling bags with items.

“Someone has come over the back gates, they’ve come through the back area,” Second Chances SA director Sam Narroway said.

He said most of the items taken were general bric-a-brac.

“They’ve completely trashed the area out the back and come through the store to ransack the place and steal from us.”

“I’m rather upset and disappointed to be honest.”

Second Chances SA has been operating for 18 years, providing support to individuals involved in the justice system, their children, as well as the homeless and victims of domestic violence.

Narroway said the theft had diverted resources from vital community services.

“Usually where they’d be helping our community, they’re having to clean up the mess that was left for us first thing in the morning,” he said.

Despite the setback, the charity’s director has expressed forgiveness towards the offender.

“Absolutely we forgive. We’re second chances for a reason, we will give them a second chance,” Narroway said. 

“Anyone can come through these doors when they’re open and say they need help, and we will help them.”

Police investigated the break-in but were unable to locate any traces of the perpetrator.