Cyclists ride again to Brake the Cycle of Poverty
Community services benefit ride raises $15,000 to help those in need
Cyclists once again toured the rural roads and covered bridges of northern Berks County, all in an effort to help those in need at the 13th annual Brake the Cycle of Poverty Benefit Bike Ride for Friend Inc. Community Services on Aug. 13.
“Folks who like to bike love to bike and this is a wonderful way to pull that community together for a wonderful cause,” said Friend Inc. Executive Director James Reece.
The Brake the Cycle of Poverty Ride helps fund the various food pantries and social support programs that Friend Inc. offers to the community. Friend Inc. raises funds in two ways with this event. The first is through registration fees, and the second is through the rider’s individual crowdfunding page that Friend creates for them to promote on social media and among friends and family. The community could also donate online.
While the 2020 benefit ride was held virtually, like many events amid the pandemic, the event returned in 2021 with its largest rider count at 170 and exceeded its fundraising goal by raising $11,000. In the previous six years, the event raised an average of $8,500.
Once again, the 2022 ride exceeded expectations with 170 riders and $15,000 raised, 20% more than last year.
“This was due in part to the generosity of several riders who took advantage of their own crowdfunding pages,” Reece said. “Their efforts helped push us to an amount that is the best in recent memory.”
Funds raised will be used to support Friend’s mission of helping those in times of need.
“The only way that we can con
tinue to provide food and services to the local community is through the generosity of our donors and event participants like the 170 riders for this year’s Brake the Cycle of Poverty Benefit Ride,” Reece said.
Last year, Friend distributed more than 100,000 pounds of food to people in northeast Berks County. Every month 400 to 500 people and their pets benefit from Friend’s self-select food pantry as do another 200 Kutztown University students at Friend’s campus pantry. Another 90 receive support from Friend’s Alburtis Mobile Market.
“Additionally, each year more than 560 individuals are impacted through direct and referral support for things such as utilities, housing, SNAP and medical assistance,” Reece said. “In fact for over 30 years, Friend Inc. has been at the very forefront in delivering food and social services throughout northeastern Berks County.”
Friend services are especially important at this time.
“It’s critical. Have you been to the store lately? While things seem to be leveling off and in some areas improving it’s still an insane environment,” said Reece. “I would ask your readers to consider their own lives right now and just imagine what it’s like for someone who was previously on the edge of an ability to provide sufficient food for their family. And let’s not forget the many area residents who are on fixed incomes. There is no ability to self-adjust the monthly budget. None.
“That is why events like Brake the Cycle and the generosity of our donors is so critical to our ability to help folks through these very tough times. If you are one of our current donors, thank you. If you are a notyet donor, it’s easy to do and every penny you give stays right here in Berks County.”
For those new to the ride, Reece hopes they gained more knowledge of the work Friend does in the community.
“It’s also important that the riders enjoy the ride and appreciate the extra lengths we go through to make the ride special,” he said. “We had plenty of snacks and nutritious eats along the various courses at the four manned rest stops. Of course there were bagels and fruit to enjoy before the start. We also provide a light lunch, snacks and beverages when they finished in a nice shady spot where a bit of post-ride camaraderie can be shared.”
Kutztown University provided parking and tables and chairs as well as access to restrooms. Various community partners like Tompkins Bank, Safe Berks, Family Guidance Center and UPMC Health Plan were there to meet and greet the participants.
“Also included in the event logistics helping to keep it safe for riders are a number of quality volunteers who staff key intersections allowing riders to cross safely,” said Reece.
The ride takes cyclists from Kutztown to Dreibelbis Station Bridge through Oley and back to Kutztown.
“Northeastern Berks County is, quite simply, beautiful,” Reece said. “Corn’s high and deeply green, and if we’re lucky there will be a bright blue sky,” said Reece. “Two of the courses (there are four to choose from) ride through the covered bridges that are open to traffic which gives the riders a bit of wonderful history, too.”
Starting at the Rickenbach Learning Center on the Kutztown University campus, riders could choose from four courses: a 62-mile ride through all four covered bridges in Berks; a 40-mile ride that crosses two covered bridges; a 25-mile ride on winding back roads; or a 10-mile scenic ride perfect for beginners and families.
In addition to the ride, there were vendors, light fare, refreshments and music. Participating vendors included Lucky Leprechaun Winery, Betty’s Wraps and Jason’s Bike Shop. Medical Massage Therapist Sandy Wagner, owner of Sensory Concepts Orthopedic & Medical Massage in Reading, donated the post-ride massages for riders for a second year.
The Friend Inc. office at 658D Noble St. is open to walk-ins or for scheduled appointments on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friend Inc. services include a client-choice food pantry, campus satellite pantry for Kutztown University students, and case management services that address food insecurity, money management education, assistance with utilities, rent, transitional housing, and referrals to outside agencies. Friend Inc. is also the Kutztown home for Safe Berks, Family Guidance Center and Maternal and Family Health Services (WIC).
For more information about Friend Inc. visit www.friendinc.org.