Community rallies to aid of Knoxville man who feeds families in need after trailer theft

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — An East Tennessee man who devotes his time and energy to helping others said he has been humbled and overwhelmed by the support from friends and the community after becoming a victim of a crime.

Chris Battle’s trailer was recently stolen. Through his urban farming initiative BattleField Farm & Garden, it was used to deliver fruits and vegetables to the underserved in Knoxville

“I unhooked the trailer. Locked her up. And came back the next morning and it was gone,” Battle said. “It represented food. It represented a need being met. It represented the fact that you’ve take something that had the possibility of feeding hundreds.”

Shortly after the theft, Battle posted about it on the BattleField Farm & Garden Facebook page. Friends and complete strangers immediately responded.

“One of my classmates from high school in Cincinnati, Kerry Kane, said, ‘Chris can we do a gofundme?’ So, she did a gofundme.”

“Another classmate texted me and said, ‘Hey, I have a trailer.’”

Battle says the two-wheel trailer that was stolen has now been replaced with this four-wheel model. The new trailer will help Battle with his mission to provide produce to those in need.

“This is a little bigger and little sturdier than the one we had,” he said. “I think I will be able to put an additional pallet on there of food.”

A few years ago, the former pastor exchanged Sunday preaching for Sunday providing. And while the trailer theft was upsetting, he said the response has been moving.

“I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of the people. I have a new faith and hope in the kindness of people.”

To learn more about BattleField Farm & Garden and how it provides produce to local people or to volunteer go to battlefieldfarm.org .

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