Residents of a Cape Breton community are expressing their anger and frustration after vandals targeted the local food bank, tagging it with vulgar graffiti.

The North Sydney Food Bank has been defaced before, but residents say the vandals have gone too far.

“It’s disgusting. It really is disgusting,” says food bank co-chair Robert Dolomont. “We are proud of what we do, and this just so takes that away from us. It’s just a slap in the face.”

Police are still trying to identify the culprits, who were nearly caught by clients picking up food for a woman around 8:30 a.m.

“The people that were picking the order up for her told me there was three young people here painting on the back of the building,” says food bank co-chair Lawrence Shebib.

The food bank contacted police and a local councillor, who says the incident is part of a broader vandalism problem on the Northside.

“Somebody is certainly seeing these individuals there and we wish they would report it,” says Coun. Clarence Prince. “In the meantime, police will step up their efforts. They know it’s a problem and they’re going to address it this time, and I believe that they will.”

The building has stood for decades, and it’s not uncommon for it to bear some graffiti, but people say the latest markings are especially vulgar and cross the line.

Volunteers also say the graffiti is an unwelcome distraction that is taking time and energy away from their mandate.

“All our volunteers come up this ramp and some have children with them, and this is what they’re seeing,” says Dolomont. “Do you think they feel safe coming here?”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Cape Breton Regional Police.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald