Marblehead Resident Cycling to Aid Hunger Relief

Local resident Link Russell will help raise awareness and funds for Cambridge-based nonprofit organization, Food For Free by cycling in the Ride For Food on Sept. 20.

Russell hopes to personally raise $1,000 to aid Food For Free’s food rescue and delivery programs that provide healthy food to all. Food For Free’s cycling team will set out 21 riders strong with the collective goal of raising $22,000 to feed hungry neighbors in need. Food For Free riders include a mix of long distance riders, casual cyclists, families, bike commuters, and bike delivery professionals. Riders can choose between three different cycling routes, a 10, 25 or 50-mile distance.

Since 1981, Cambridge-based Food For Free 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.

As one of the nation’s first food rescue programs, Food For Free feeds more than 25,000 families annually in Boston and beyond distributing food to more than 100 programs in Arlington, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Lowell, Malden, Medford, Peabody, Somerville, and Watertown.

For more information about Food For Free, or to learn how to make a financial contribution toward to a rider’s fundraising campaign, visit foodforfree.org/events. For questions, email Veronica Barron at veronica@foodforfree.org.