Hundreds could go hungry after would-be thieves knocked an Auckland food charity out action. 

KiwiHarvest is off the road after two of its chiller vehicles were broken into in Ellerslie overnight.

KiwiHarvest manager Maria Madill said someone smashed into their truck and van - ripping out the ignition in one.

Both were parked outside charity's HQ in Ellerslie and are now unusable.

KiwiHarvest rescues perishable food and delivers it to organisations across the city.

Both vehicles are essential to the charity and Ms Madill says it's devastating and hundreds of people could go hungry.

"Why would anyone do this? Our sole purpose is to be helping people in need in our community, it's such a senseless act."

She is asking chiller truck owners to lend a hand

"Certainly today we would have delivered to probably 14 different charities across the city and they are all serving a number of people. So, it has a huge impact."