The owners of the Splendid Sweets variety store are hoping surveillance video will help find a man who allegedly stole a charity donation box.

The box was stolen from the shop on Hale Street in London's east end in early July and caught on surveillance video.

Shop owners Doug and Lise Lounsbury say they aren't upset that something was stolen, but they are upset about what was stolen.

"It's upsetting because it's money that everybody in the neighbourhood gives, " Lise says.

The box is believed to have contained about $75 when it was taken, money that would have gone to providing food for children in need at the Crouch Public Library.

Lise explains, "It's for the children that go in there at lunch time and through the day and it gives them snacks and lunches and good food, oranges, apples, good treats."

The box was scheduled to be picked up the day after it was stolen.

Video shows a man putting something under his shirt before riding away on a green bicycle.

London police are investigating and anyone with information is asked to contact them or Crime Stoppers.