To the Editor:

Riding a bike across the country wasn’t on my bucket list but a friend encouraged me and, once I found someone to join me, it was all systems go. Dan Greene of Springville, New York will join me on the adventure, riding from Portland, Oregon to Springville this summer.

At 61 and 64 years old, we initially called this the “Two Old Men On a Bike Tour.”  Recently though, I got the idea of shifting the emphasis towards assisting the Guilderland Food Pantry. 

As co-director with my, wife Susan Hennessy, I thought about using the trip as a way to promote the work of the pantry by soliciting support as I ride.  Summer is our ‘off season’ for donations.

The ride is going to be 3,000 miles so I’m hoping to get a dollar a mile for a total of $3,000.  That will cover our summer budget.  Every penny donated will go directly to the Guilderland Food Pantry.

So, the new slogan became the “Bike for Bread Tour.”  At first, this was just a ride for fun.  Now, it has a sense of purpose.  We can provide a lot of bread for a lot of people when neighbors help their neighbors.

We hope to average 60 miles a day over a two-month period. Built in are 10 days for recovery and weather conditions.

We will be riding Route 20 most of the way.  It’s America’s longest road and I grew up on it.  Originally planning on taking Route 20 from coast to coast, the trip was modified to simply make it easier. We opted for a shorter and more scenic route through Oregon and Washington but we will pick up Route 20 in Boise, Idaho.

Susan and I became co-directors of the Guilderland Food Pantry, housed in the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, in 2014. Along with a staff of committed volunteers, we continue the work that began there 30 years ago.

The pantry serves the hunger challenged in the community and helps families and individuals fill the food gap. We provide about 500 to 600 meals every five weeks. 

The Guilderland Food Pantry is one of 30 pantries in the Capital Region but one of only three that depends solely on contributions for its work. We are one of Guilderland’s best-kept secrets.  We’re hoping to build on the solid foundation that we have in order to expand our service to our neighbors in need.

Food contributions may be dropped off weekdays between 9 and 11:30 a.m.  Donations may be made out to the Guilderland Food Pantry, Post Office Box 7, Guilderland, NY 12008.  If you would like to be a part of the “Bike for Bread” campaign, note your check “Bike for Bread.”  Anyone interested in volunteering may reach the office at 930-1001 or contact me online at guilderlandfoodpantry.com.

Mark Hopper, co-director

Guilderland Food Pantry