The theft of a pricey wood splitter from a church charity may spell some cold nights ahead for needy South End families.

For the past three years, South Whidbey Community Church has run a small program to supply firewood for the poor. The wood is cut, split and then delivered by volunteers, all free of charge.

“It’s just an outreach program of the church to help the community … we take no money,” said Ken Goff, a member of the congregation and the primary volunteer who cuts and delivers the wood.

But that mission of good will suffered a major setback recently when the group’s wood splitter went missing. Sometime this past weekend, possibly Monday, a thief broke into the organization’s wood lot, cut a chain securing the splitter to a tree, and then towed it away.

It’s a big loss for the program and a financial hit for the church. Along with reimbursing the owner for the splitter — it belonged to a member — the church will need to pay for a replacement, said Bill Benjamin, a church elder.

“It’s like a double cost,” he said.

The value of the used MTD 20-ton machine is unclear, but the manufacturer’s website lists splitters at between $1,200 and $1,400. Due to their size, they come mounted on their own trailers, which adds to the expense.

“The people who stole it, perhaps, had a greater need than ours.”

Bill Benjamin,

South Whidbey Community Church elder

The device was stored at the church’s wood lot, a six-acre undeveloped parcel on Wild Coyote Run off Highway 525, just north of Freeland. Wood is kept under a covered, but unwalled structure that’s largely out of sight from the road. While the splitter was secured with a lock, and behind another locked gate, it proved too tempting for the thief.

And this wasn’t the first time something has gone missing from the lot. A large propane barbecue used for church picnics was stolen a few months ago, and some logging chains.

Benjamin said the items might have been better secured, but he wasn’t sure how other than removing them from the property or constructing a lockable building.

Lt. Evan Tingstad with the Island County Sheriff’s Office said he thought their precautions were reasonable, and that chaining the splitter to a tree was more than most people do. They’re usually just sitting next to a wood pile, he said. Tingstad added that chainsaws, generators and splitters are the three most commonly stolen power tools.

“They can be sold relatively easily or taken home and used,” Tingstad said.

The officer had little hope of it being recovered, but said police would look out for the machine. It’s painted black and red and is about 10 years old. Anyone with information about the theft can call 9-1-1.

As for the church, Benjamin and Goff said this hasn’t spoiled their good will and won’t spell and end to the charity. Goff has delivered about 15 truck loads of wood to people in need this winter alone, and there’s still several cold months ahead.

The theft was disappointing, but both men are taking it in stride and in faith.

“The people who stole it, perhaps, had a greater need than ours,” Benjamin said.

“From my point of view, the Lord is in it,” echoed Goff.