The Food Cycle Ride has raised over $15,000 for the Centre Wellington Food Bank in the past and this year, organizer Harvey Thompson is hoping people will again get in gear for the third annual event on May 26.
Thompson said the event has been a success in the past.
“We raised a total of $15,000 net in the first two years, in total, and we’re hoping to increase that by $10,000 this year.”
To build on the event, Thompson has added more choices for endurance. Food Cycle Riders can register for either a 35km, 70km or 105km road tour, or a 20km or 40km ride on the Elora-Cataract Trail.
Thompson hopes the longer road distances will challenge local cyclists and bring avid road warriors from the surrounding region into Centre Wellington.
The gentler route of up to 40 km along the Elora-Cataract Trailway to and from Lake Belwood is a user-friendly ride for recreational cyclists and families to enjoy.
“This year the lead sponsor, Newton Eastwood Wealth Management Group, of BMO Nesbitt Burns, has committed to partially match any donations raised,” said Thompson.
To encourage participation, Thompson plans to waive registration fees for participants who are able to raise enough funds to double the registration fee.
Registration for adults is $55. Students 18 and younger participating in the road route can register for $20. A family rate of $35 is eligible for families of five or less. The ride begins at Elora Public School.
“We are not collecting food, we are raising funds for the Centre Wellington Food Bank to use in their commercial kitchen, to buy the ingredients to make soups, sauces and other foods that can be flash frozen for their clients, to offer healthy options,” Thompson said.
The goal is to support local farmers too, buying locally grown produce and meats.
The idea for the Food Cycle Ride, Thompson said, came from his awareness of the food bank’s growing need for support in the community.
“I was aware of just the sheer need for the support for the food bank … roughly one in 10 people in Centre Wellington will make use of the food bank at least once every 12 months which is a staggering percentage,” Thompson said.
He expressed gratitude for the support of groups and businesses in the area, which helps make the ride a success, including both the Elora and Fergus Legion, the Fergus and Elora Lions Clubs, the assistance of Centre Wellington tourism and economic development and the ongoing support of the Electrical Workers Union 804.
Thompson said the May 26 event still requires volunteers to help with registration and as route marshals.
To register or volunteer, visit www.foodcycleride.ca or send an email to sitecontact@foodcycleride.ca or call at 226-820-4475. To donate to the food bank through the event or to sponsor a rider visit www.foodcycleride.ca.
