A theft off Bennett Road has left a local nonprofit $20,000 in the hole.

According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, a report was made by Stephen Daniels, president of Fill Ministries Inc., on Monday, July 11, for a missing lawnmower and tractor.

“Two pieces of yard equipment [were] stolen, but they were not at the Meals by Grace location [at Keith Bridge Road],” FSCO communications specialist Stacie Miller said.

Suellen Daniels, executive director and co-founder of Meals by Grace, said she got a call from a staff member on Monday morning who stated a commercial mower and John Deere tractor were missing from Meals by Grace’s aquaponic farm which is at 6405 Bennett Road and has been used to “produce consistent crop” to provide local families with fresh produce.

According to her, the equipment totaled about $20,000 together.

Daniels said she was devastated when she got the call.

“Theft is wrong and bad period,” she said. “But to think that someone … would do that to a nonprofit that takes care of its own children and families, to me is just – I’m devastated.”

Daniels also mentioned that the property is currently under contract to be sold, and part of the selling agreement is for Fill Ministries to keep the farm maintained, including cutting the grass.

Without the equipment, Daniels said the nonprofit will likely have to rent another commercial mower, finding the money to do so.

However, she said she didn’t want to take away from staff wages or meals for families.

According to Daniels, the nonprofit can feed a family for $9 a meal. Putting that into perspective, Daniels said the loss culminates in about 2,222 less meals the organization can provide.

“This is so far outside of my ability to even comprehend right now,” Daniels said. “It’s just so heartbreaking.”

While the nonprofit will be working with FCSO detectives and insurance companies to either recover the equipment or get compensation, Daniels said residents with a little “extra to give” can donate at www.mealsbygrace.org/Donate.aspx.

“Maybe God has a better solution for some of that maintenance equipment,” Daniels said. “I don’t know. We’re just trying to remain hopeful.”

According to Miller, the case is still under investigation.