A trailer that was used by Faith Lutheran Church to pick up bread for those who are hungry in Lehigh was spotted Friday night and reported to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Charles Emery, chairman of the free bread program which is administered every Friday at Faith Lutheran Church on Leeland Heights Blvd., said the trailer is about 12 by 8 feet and it was stolen Wednesday night in front of his home.

“They stripped the paint off one side,” Emery told The Citizen today, “but we can fix that.”

His wife, Barbara, said the trailer was spotted Friday night on 10th and Wheeler St. across in Hendry County.

“I think the thieves got spooked or something,” she said. “Somebody may have come up on them and they fled.”

Emery said the trailer is worth around $4,000 new and that the church has been giving away free bread products since 1985.

He said today there are 200 families who come to pick up the free bread each Friday.

“That represents around 650 people,” Emery said.

He noted that the percentage of people in Lehigh who are in need of the bread has increased dramatically. He said he picks up the bread at sites that donate it and that there are also rolls and other bread products that the church collects and gives away.

The church also has a food pantry for those who are hungry during these trouble economic times, he said.

If anyone knows anything about the culprits who stole the trailer, they are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re thankful that the trailer was not damaged any more than it was. We can paint the name of the church back on from where they had scraped it off,” Emery said.