A community pantry set up in Hamilton for people to access free food and supplies has been removed after complaints to Newcastle council.
But the cupboard was not pulled by the council and its removal remains as mysterious as its installation.
The pantry is understood to have been installed near Hamilton train station sometime in the past fortnight.
It was proving popular with people both donating goods and taking items. However, a handful of complaints were made to council.
The nature of the complaints are not known, but the council confirmed it had not removed the pantry and was not intending to do so having inspected the site.
Newcastle Greens councillor John Mackenzie said it was a shame that someone had removed the pantry, as "clearly it was filling a community need that was not being met in other ways".
"Particularly now, when we're bombarded with images of people hoarding toilet paper, it's nice to think that there is still some generosity and kindness floating around in the community," he said.
"It makes the fact that it got taken that much more disappointing.
"Part of the reason why it was good there was that you couldn't see when people were taking things out of it.
"If you went up with a green bag no one could tell whether you were putting stuff in or taking stuff out.
"Often there is a stigma associated with accessing homeless or welfare support services, and it sort of takes it out of it a bit."
Cr Mackenzie, who described the pantry as an "extension" of community book boxes, said he would prepare a motion for the next council meeting asking whether a pantry could be installed in a public space on a trial basis.
"Let's see how these things function when they've got a bit of council backing," he said.
"We should be encouraging the community to take action into their own hands on these sorts of things, but where there is an opportunity for council to contribute, even in a small way, we should be taking the lead."
Newcastle Poverty Action Alliance backed the concept.
"It doesn't cure the problems of poverty but it can certainly help people in a time of crisis," NPAA member Chris Parish said.
