NUMB, the Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger, is in its 23rd year of making a difference in the lives of those who are hungry. This year’s ride is scheduled for June 23-27.
Since its beginning in 1995, NUMB has donated more than $910,000 for the fight against hunger. Proceeds from the ride support four hunger projects from around the world: Nebraska food banks, Heifer International, The Society of St. Andrew and the Africa University agriculture training program.
The NUMB Ride partners with local United Methodist Churches who host the 150 riders when they come through their communities. NUMB 2018 will start in McCook and travel south to Norton, Kansas, for an overnight stay. From Norton, the bikers will cross the state line again and stay in Franklin, Nebraska. The next day they will head west for the next stop in Beaver City, Nebraska. From there they will pedal back to McCook. In all, the riders will travel just under 300 miles. The riders come from all over the nation, and the past have come from as far away as Alaska and Canada. Each rider is required to collect a minimum of $100 in pledges for world hunger. Non-riders may be a part of this huge mission project by volunteering as support staff or donating to one of the riders or donate directly by visiting the webpage at www.numbride.org and click on “donate”.
The NUMB Ride was founded in 1995 by Rev. Bill Ritter, the Blue River District Superintendent who currently serves as NUMB director, and by Greg Bakewell of Omaha who serves as route director.
“I remember back when I started NUMB I thought it would be a huge success if we could someday reach $100,000 for hunger,” Ritter said. “Either this year or next year we should top over $1 million. It has been a good ride.”
Interested riders may find more information and register at www.numbride.org. Registration is limited to 150 cyclists.
See a story, photos and video from last year’s NUMB ride.
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