MANITOWANING—A new resident to Manitowaning will be riding his bicycle from Manitowaning to Mindemoya later this month, encouraging local residents, both permanent and seasonal, to put non-perishable cans of food in three locations along the route, which will take him to the Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR) food bank to help replenish and enhance their stock of food and water for the winter.
“We got everything signed off and the ride is going to take place on August 31,” said Joseph Caulfield, who moved to Manitowaning in May with his wife Katharine. “I will be riding my bicycle form Manitowaning to Mindemoya to the Manitoulin Food Bank in Mindemoya.”
Mr. Caulfield, who owns a bicycle company on the Island, “Bike Whizzards” which provides sales, repairs, service and guided tours, grew up in London, England. When the couple moved into their home in Manitowaning, they found that the previous owners had left many good items like kayaks and food, that they donated to the food bank.
“We feel it is important to give back to the community,” stated Mr. Caulfield, noting that the Manitoulin Food Bank spends about $15,000 a month to buy food items for the facility. “This ride is taking place at the end of the summer, so they can use the non-perishable cans of food that we are hoping to collect, so that the food bank can stock up for the winter.”
“The bicycle route I will be taking is from Highway 6 from Manitowaning to Highway 542 into Mindemoya,” said Mr. Caulfield. He explained food bins are located at the Home Hardware, Guardian Pharmacy and Canada Post Office buildings in both Manitowaning and Mindemoya for people to donate cans of food for the food bank. “The Home Hardware has donated all the bins for this.” The bins will be in place at all six locations on a 24-hour-a day basis until the ride takes place.
“We know there are a lot of people who are at camp, and will be cleaning out their camps soon and leaving for the season,” said Mr. Caulfield. “We are hoping they will take tin cans they have with food at the back of their cupboards and put them in one of the bins to give to the food bank.”
“Or they can leave the canned food tins by their mailbox on the day of my ride, and we will pick them up on my ride past,” said Mr. Caulfield. He pointed out, “I will be riding by myself with a collection vehicle behind me to pick up the canned food items in the bins. And I have a sign on each of the bins asking people to please make a donation of canned food items to donate to the food bank.”
Mr. Caulfield also indicated he will be donating two children’s bikes to the food bank as well.
“This ride will be an annual event,” said Mr. Caulfield. “We are leaving the Island on September 11 back to the United Kingdom for the winter. And we will be closing our local business for the summer. “Breakaway Sports in Little Current has helped with parts for our bicycles and customers bicycles this season.”
“We are fortunate that we can give back to help others and we are appreciative of the support we have received from Home Hardware, Guardian Pharmacy and Canada Post,” said Mr. Caulfield.
Mr. Caulfield who is 41, said his ride will commence at 9 am on August 31 from Manitowaning.
