Rock 'N Road Cyclery Helps Feed OC Homeless with Ride and Food Drive

12/15/10 - 'Tis the Season to give gifts to family, friends, and associates.  At Orange County's premier bike shop chain, the seasonal giving has been including food for those who are down on their luck.  For the fourth year running, Rock 'N Road Cyclery is organizing a food drive in co-operation with Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed the poor and displaced in Orange County.  Nationally, the efforts of Second Harvest and it's parent charity, Feed America, is able to distribute $20 worth of food for every $1.00 donation.  There are more details about cash donations on their website at www.feedamerica.org.

Owner Matt Ford has thrown down the gauntlet to his staff, customers, and neighbors, "Last year we collected 2939 pounds of food, which produced 2261 meals.  Our goal is to soundly beat that record.  We only have until Dec 30th to complete the effort.  I'm confident we will have a great result."

To promote the drive, Rock 'N Road's Irvine store is sponsoring a ride on December 18 at 8:00 a.m., leaving from the Irvine location.  Ford says about the ride:  "All riders are welcome. There will be two ride options, the more challenging Santiago Canyon or a flatter ride through Irvine. Route slips will be given out the morning of the ride. There will be a raffle at 10:15am after the ride. Raffle tickets will be given to each person that donates food. There will also be refreshments served."

The company also stated that in the case of rain, the rides will be canceled and not rescheduled.  Donations will be collected that morning and at the shop throughout the month of December at all stores.

For those who can't make the ride, there is another way to participate.  They can bring four or more cans of food at any of the four Rock 'N Road Cyclery locations and walk out with a free water bottle or receive $10 off any bike purchase through the end of the month.    Call any store for details.  Phone numbers and locations  can be found at RockNRoadCyclery.net.

One of five residents in OC will deal with hunger today. Even with all the school lunches and other government programs, there is still a great need. Rock 'N Road Cyclery has been helping to fill that need for four years with a food drive and ride.