The Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger (NUMB Ride) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a loop ride starting June 27 and ending July 1 in Ogallala. A single-year record total of $75,000 was raised by 148 registered riders.
This year boasted more than a dozen riders raising more than $1,000 each, also qualifying them for a free registration for next year’s ride scheduled for south-central Nebraska. The 20-year total raised by the ride is $791,000.
“I know that within the next few years we will break the $1 million mark in support of hunger projects in Nebraska and around the world,” said Ride Director and Blue River District Superintendent Bill Ritter.
This year’s ride supported Heartland Food Banks, Heifer International, Bread for the World and the Agriculture program at African University in Zimbabwe.
Hunger is still a significant issue in Nebraska, Kansas and beyond. According to Feeding America, an organization known as the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization with more than 200 food banks and 60,000 affiliated food pantries, approximately 49 million Americans live in households that struggle to have food on the table on a daily basis. Almost 16 million of those people are children.
“I rode Sunday for the hungry people in Nebraska who depend on the Food Banks,” Route Director Greg Bakewell said. “On Monday I rode to help give a pair of farm animals to people in South America, on Tuesday I rode to help Bread for the World advocate on behalf of those who do not have a voice, and on Wednesday I rode so that Africa University might have a strong program to help farmers.”
There were 38 first-time riders this year adding new camaraderie to the ride. The NUMB Ride honored Larry Lienemann and John Leibman, both long-time
riders who passed away this year.
Other highlights included:
- Story by Kathryn Witte
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