FRANKLIN, NJ–More than 230 people have already signed up for the Franklin Food Bank’s Annual “Tour de Franklin” Charity Bike Ride, which is taking place on Sunday, April 30.

“Our registration discount has been extended until April 7!!” reads the Facebook page for the upcoming event.

Those who register before the April 7 deadline can get a discount and register for $45.  After April 7, adult registration will be $50.

The Food Bank’s annual bike ride is traditionally one of the first bike rides of the season.  The mission of the Tour de Franklin event is to bring avid cyclists and the community together to fight hunger.

It will be held at Franklin Township High School, located at 500 Elizabeth Avenue, for the second straight year.

The Food Bank feeds Franklin Township families in need at no cost to them.

The event is the Franklin Food Bank’s largest fundraiser of the year and provides much-needed funding at a time when Food Bank donations are typically low.

The event will actually consist of seven distinct bike rides, offering options that are friendly to people of all ages and skill levels.

Participants are required to pay a $45 registration fee ($10 for Students) and they are encouraged to raise more for the cause.

The rides take place between 8 AM and  11 AM.  At Noon, a community lunch is provided for riders when they finish. Breakfast, snacks, drinks at the stops along the way, and lunch, are all free.

The ride start times & locations are as follows:

  • 62 Mile  – 8:00am @ Franklin High School
  • 40 Mile – 8:30am @ Franklin High School
  • 25 Mile – 10:00am @ Franklin High School
  • 5-10 Mile Canal ride – 10:00am @ Ranger Station, Blackwells Mills Rd
  • 1-5 Mile Canal walk/ride – 10:30am Ranger Station, Blackwells Mills Rd
  • 1-5 Mile walk/ride – 10:45am @ Franklin High School
  • 10 Mile – 11:00am @ Franklin High School

Participants who register prior to April 7 will be guaranteed a T-shirt. In addition, special shirts will be given to participants who raise certain levels of funding:

  • Silver Circle: Includes those who raise a sum of $150 (including registration fee)
  • Gold Circle: Includes those who raise a sum of $300 (including registration fee)
  • Titanium Circle: Includes those who raise a sum of $1000 (including registration fee)

In recent years, support for the Tour de Franklin has been growing.

Thanks to the 775 riders who came together last April, 2016 was a record year, raising just over $78,000 for the Food Bank.

“This is a substantial increase from the Tour’s humble beginnings in 1989 when 30 riders banded together to raise $1,500,” reads the event’s website.  “However, the Food Bank’s needs are also far greater than in 1989, with almost 10,000 food packages provided to the community in 2016.”

“We implemented changes in 2016 to accommodate more participants in the Tour de Franklin, including making registration and fundraising easier, and we’re thrilled that last year was our strongest year so far,” shared Lisa Frey, Tour de Franklin chairperson.

“We hope to continue that momentum in 2017 to support the Franklin Food Bank.”

The Food Bank’s mission is to improve the quality of life of Franklin Township residents by providing food assistance. It is not a goverment agency, but is a non-profit organization that receives almost no funding from governement agencies. This is why event, such as the Tour of Franklin are so important to the organization.

While the $78,000 raised by the Tour de Franklin sounds like a lot, it is a small part of the Food Bank’s annual budget.

To learn more about the Franklin Food Bank and the Tour de Franklin, please visit their website or like the Tour de Franklin page on Facebook.

Reporter at New Brunswick Today | gperdomo@nb.today

Gisselle is a reporter at New Brunswick Today and a proud Rutgers University Alumni. She has a passion for writing, investigating and bringing attention grabbing news to the local community.

 

Gisselle is a reporter at New Brunswick Today and a proud Rutgers University Alumni. She has a passion for writing, investigating and bringing attention grabbing news to the local community.