INDIANAPOLIS — UPDATE: On Friday, Aug. 30, Smoking Pastor Project co-founder Jordan Davis told 13News they found the trailer overnight — but it is too damaged to use, and all of the equipment inside is gone.
"It just made me sick. Having it stolen was one thing, but now, seeing it and seeing it trashed...for me, the disrespect for what we're trying to do is just devastating," Davis said. "There's nothing left inside. There's holes in the ceiling from where the air conditioner and hood vent were, even the sprinkler system was ripped out."
Davis confirmed the nonprofit will move forward despite the setback.
Imagine dedicating your time and passion to feeding people in need across your community, only to have that opportunity to help taken away by a thief.
"It just felt like we got punched in the stomach," said Jordan Davis, co-founder of the Smoking Pastor Project.
The theft was caught on surveillance video.
Davis and his wife started the organization six months ago. He described how he felt after a trailer his nonprofit group uses to feed people in need was stolen from a church parking lot.
"I really have a passion to feed kids. And so we started doing this out of our own dime, and then, it's turned into something that we knew was bigger," Davis said.
The trailer is where they made the meals. Another nonprofit had donated it to them just a few weeks earlier.
"We had it for 21 days — 21 days, we had the trailer in our possession. Weren't even able to use it yet," Davis said.
Volunteer Cameron Carter is reaching out to the community in hopes of helping the Davises get back their equipment.
"We live in a broken world. Things happen, but it just hurts because he's trying to do some good stuff with it, trying to feed the homeless," Carter said.
Carter said he wants the couple to know everyone appreciates them.
"We see your mission, we appreciate your mission, and we want to try and help accelerate getting you back on your feet and doing what you love to do," Carter said.
The founders say this setback won't stop them from their mission.
"I'm going to keep doing what God has called us to do, and we're going to go keep partnering with organizations and putting food on the table for people," Davis said.
Davis said its would cost around $100,000 to replace the trailer and all of their equipment.