Riders show support for county's End Hunger initiative

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Photo by FRANK THOMAS Bicycle riders from as far away as Maine participated in a fundraiser to benefit End Hunger in Calvert County on Saturday. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

The weather could not have cooperated more.

"It was a beautiful day, a beautiful ride. It was really well done — very impressive," said Rick Kennedy of Annapolis in a press release.

Sunny skies and gentle breezes greeted the riders as they left the campus of Chesapeake Church in Huntingtown. The ride offered four different courses, the longest one running 62 miles.

Cyclist James Degeneffe said, "I ride in a lot of rides, and this was by far the best."

The event raised more than $12,000 all to help re-stock the shelves of local food pantries that are a part of the End Hunger In Calvert County network.

"The need has grown as the economy has shrunk. So this is a great way to not only raise money and awareness, but to do it through community. It's all about neighbor helping neighbor," said the Rev. Robert P. Hahn, EHCC chairman and senior pastor of Chesapeake Church.

Robin Brungard, event organizer and EHCC program director, said, "Local businesses donated a lot, which not only kept costs down, it fostered a real sense of countywide commitment to battle the problem of hunger."

End Hunger In Calvert County is an association of more than 30 Calvert County business and community leaders united behind the idea that hunger in the county can be defeated.

Among the local businesses that contributed to the bike ride were Dunkirk Amoco, Fridays Creek Winery, Herrington on the Bay, Arundel Bay Christian Academy, Bike Doctor, Frank Gumpert Printing, The Perfect Tan, Oxon Hill Bike Club, Top Hat Party Rental, Morgan E. Russell Inc. and Chesapeake Church.

But more than raising money, these cyclists also hope to raise awareness. As the economy has worsened, the number of county families needing assistance has been growing. In the last year, food pantries have seen a 40 percent growth in the number of families seeking help.

"It was a perfect day. We helped a lot of people and had a lot fun," said Deborah Brower of North Beach. "What more could you ask for?"

To learn more about End Hunger in Calvert County, get involved or make a donation, go to endhungercalvert.org, or call 410-257-5672.