An RV used to deliver cold weather supplies to homeless people in the South Bay was ransacked on Thursday night.
The CHAM Deliverance Ministry's Mercy Mobile contained clothes, coats, blankets, food and medical supplies, which had been donated by St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church ahead of an upcoming cold front.
But Pastor Scott Wagers said thieves likely entered through a window and got away with the much-needed items.
"They do awesome work and it was pretty heartbreaking to hear that a lot of the things that people give — the donations, the time, the money — was just taken. It was very sad," said St. Timothy’s Pastor Joe Hill.
As word spread Friday, new donations began pouring in.
“People are generous,” Hill said. “In difficult times like this, people rise to the challenge. That was something I felt like I could do as well."
The limited donations enabled the Mercy Mobile to provide some supplies at a homeless encampment on Friday. Hill believes the thieves couldn't take away what’s important.
Local
“The valuable thing that's in here is the heart of the people that give the stuff and try to help the poor, so that's not something you can steal,” Hill said.
St. Timothy's is hosting a clothing drive over the weekend. County supervisor Dave Cortese is also helping the group restore supplies – and faith.
"The irony if it is, it's [going to] go out on the streets anyway, so whoever got it, I hope they bless people with it and I hope they need it," Wagers said.
