SALEM -- A Salem church hit by thieves earlier this week is now getting such an outpouring of support from the community, it will be able to more than make up for the losses.
Someone stole a 12-foot trailer from the West Salem Four Square Church last Thursday.
Pastor Craig Oviatt and his "Salem Dream Center" had used the trailer for years to deliver food, furniture and clothing to many families in need. But he said this year, since the trailer was stolen, they would have to rent a replacement, resulting in less funding for supplies.
“All we could see were the locks that were cut off and where they had spun and dragged it out,” Oviatt said.
KGW covered the story on Wednesday and by Thursday, the church had piles of donations and offers to use trailers for free.
Last year, the church helped more than 540 families. This year, Oviatt said they will actually be able to help double that amount, thanks to the extra outpouring of support and additional donations.
"One man called wanting to buy a new trailer," Oviatt told KGW Thursday. "Many good people."
Meantime, police will still be looking for the church's stolen trailer. But it will be hard to find. It did not have a logo or license plate, making it more difficult to track.
Anyone with information that may help investigators was urged to call Salem Police at (503)588-6123.
