Bicycle riders needed for food drive

If you in any way like to ride your bicycle, the nonprofit group Food For Free is looking for you to join its team in the Ride For Food event Sunday, Sept. 20.Among the 11 communities this effort benefits are Lynn and Peabody.Food For Free riders include a mix of long-distance riders, casual cyclists, families, bike commuters, and bike-delivery professionals. Last year, cyclists raised more than $20,000 to feed hungry neighbors in need.Since 1981, the Cambridge-based group has responded to local hunger by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, and distributing it to local emergency food programs, including food pantries, youth programs, shelters, and more.Through a combination of food rescue, farming and transportation programs, the organization’s year-round services give people access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which are typically lacking from the diets of low-income individuals and families.Food For Free feeds more than 25,000 families annually in Boston and beyond distributing food to more than 100 programs. Other cities served by the program are Arlington, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lowell, Malden, Medford, Somerville and Watertown.There are 10-, 25-, or 50-mile rides through the various suburbs of Massachusetts.Registration is $75. Riders are asked to set a fundraising goal of $1,000. Those who raise $1,000 will have their registration fee refunded.The group provides breakfast, lunch and snacks for riders along the route, and also includes family-fun activities, including music, face painting and more.All routes begin and end at the Noble and Greenough School, 10 Campus Drive in Dedham. Food For Free is also providing transportation to the event site for those who need it.This year, Food For Free hopes to raise $22,000 to aid its food rescue and delivery programs and continue to provide healthy food for all.For more information about Food For Free, or to learn how to make a financial contribution toward to a rider’s fundraising campaign, or to register to ride, visit foodforfree.org/events. For questions, email Veronica Barron at [email protected].