The 14th annual Will Bike 4 Food charity bike race and afterparty will be hosted on Sunday, Sept. 22 to raise money for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Each year, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and its supporters come together to raise money for those experiencing food insecurity and hunger.
The event will take place at the Hatfield Lions Club Pavilion, 15 Billings Way. Participants can also register and fundraise as a virtual rider and bike their miles anytime during Hunger Action Month in September.
Hunger Action Month is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in America and inspire action. Participants can sign up as an individual or form a team at WillBike4Food.org.
There are five different races including a 100-mile century ride, a 50-mile half century ride, a 25-mile quarter century ride, a 12-mile ride and 4-mile family fun ride.
Each ride leaves at a different time and the route for each ride through the Connecticut River Valley is included on the website.
Participants will be provided with caffeine and nourishment before they leave along with snacks, water, and supporters along the way and a Will Bike 4 food T-shirt.
Fundraising is required to attend the event. They ask that participants 18 and over raise a minimum of $200. Participants under 18 are encouraged to fundraise, but it is not required.
The minimum fundraising amount of $200 provides at least 600 nutritious meals in Western Massachusetts.
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Public Engagement Manager Cheyenne Burnham said people have been signing up since May.
She said, “All of the money raised goes directly to the food bank for us to be able to then provide food to our 193 food pantry networks and then gets distributed out in the four counties — Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin County.”
Participants and others can celebrate with food and drinks at the Will Bike 4 Food After Party from 2-5 p.m.
Non-riders can purchase tickets to the after party for $25 for adults 21 and older, and $20 for teens and kids.
The mission of the food bank is to end hunger in the region.
The event raises awareness of food insecurity and hunger in the regions. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts distributes food nearly 200 partner agencies including food pantries, emergency meal sites and shelters.
Will Bike 4 Food’s goal of $250,000, would provide 750,000 meals to the community.
Burnham talked about the goal and the amount of money raised in past years.
She said, “It’s a big boost. We got two large signature events, and this is one of them so it’s definitely important to not only raise money but to raise awareness of what all the food bank provides to the community and get more people involved and kind of prove they’re willing to put action in motion.”
For every $1 that is donated or fundraised, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is able to provide three nutritious meals to people facing food insecurity in Western Massachusetts.
“Through our network and through the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance program, we’re able to stretch a dollar further. We also spend a lot of time advocating for legislation that also helps people have better access to food,” Burnham said.
The event is also looking for volunteers for different jobs on the day of the event including check-in and check-out, check IDs at the after party, help clean up, cheerleaders during the ride, and follow the cyclists to make sure there following the route.
Burnham said they will be raising money until Oct. 15 for this event.
