Residents of Wellington County will once again be putting two wheels to the pavement in support of the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
On May 24, old and young will strap on their helmets and bike a 35 or 70km route starting at Elora Public School and traverse throughout the county.
For more casual cyclists and families, there will be 20 and 40km rides marked along the Elora-Cataract Trailway.
Over the last three years the event has raised $23,000, and committee chair Harvey Thompson hopes to increase that number by another $12,000 this year, with sponsor BMO Nesbitt Burns promising to match 100 per cent of donations up to $6,000.
Thompson is encouraging organizations like church groups, businesses and service clubs to form teams and gather pledges, but more casual cyclists shouldn’t shy away.
“It’s not a race in any sense of the word,” he says. “It’s a healthy activity for yourself, you’re contributing to the sense of community that’s very strong in Centre Wellington… and you’re doing it with your neighbours and having a great time.”
Colin Thompson, from Elora Racquets and Fitness, has also created a community challenge as part of the event this year.
He has participated in the ride since its inception, and hopes other fitness facilities from around the region will follow his lead and create a cycling team to increase participation.
“We live a lifestyle of being active and being out and about so representing your fitness centre goes a long way,” he said.
However, the ride isn’t just about promoting healthy living. For Colin Thompson, the cause hits close to home.
“I grew up on welfare. There was times when we had to access the food bank, especially around Christmas,” he said. “So this has always been (a way) for me to give back.”
A sit-down lunch will be served at Elora Public School following the ride – regular and vegetarian chili prepared by the food bank – accompanied by live entertainment from local musicians.
Donations from previous years have already significantly improved services offered by the food bank, allowing for fresh and homemade options to be included alongside packaged staples, said Harvey Thompson.
“The money made it possible to purchase local produce and prepare foods in (the food bank’s) own kitchen so that they could give people… a range of choices,” he added.
“The food bank is committed to improving the range of healthy options for users by having frozen meals, soups, or sauces.”
Ideally, Harvey Thompson would like to see the food bank’s role in the community expanded to become a teaching centre and cost effective catering option for social service and charitable organizations – in his words, “a food hub in the community that provides support for many people, not just users of the food bank.”
Those interested in participating in the Food Cycle Ride can register or donate online starting next week at www.foodcycleride.ca, or contact Harvey Thompson for more information at 519-835-4360.
