The Urbandale Food Pantry is encouraging bikers to get out and support fighting food insecurity.
When COVID-19 forced the Urbandale Food Pantry to cancel its biggest fundraising event of the year, staff and board members needed to get creative. Leadership started noticing trends: virtual events were taking off and local community members were dusting off their bikes and hitting the trails, staying active while social distancing.
That sparked an idea: the first-ever bike ride to support the Urbandale Food Pantry. Called Pedal for the Pantry, the event will take place on Sept. 27. Riders who support the pantry—the cost is $30 per person—can cycle in their neighborhoods or on their favorite trails at any time throughout the day.
The pantry is also hosting an exclusive experience for participants to ride a stationary trainer at the Urbandale Food Pantry (7611 Douglas Ave.) alongside local VIPs, including mayors Bob Andeweg (Urbandale), Paula Dierenfeld (Johnston) and Gary Lorenz (Ankeny). Slots for this are full, but the community is encouraged to watch the event virtually via the pantry’s Facebook page.
“It’s no secret a community with access to food is a more productive, more positive and more secure place,” said Executive Director Patty Sneddon-Kisting.
The Urbandale Food Pantry has been serving up to 2,500 individuals every month during the pandemic. Find more information here.
Iowa Stops Hunger is a year long Business Publications Corporation initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa.
