KtownScott

We'll after hearing today's sermon at church, It got me thinking. The service was about the different ministry's that the church had to partake in. I think that Haiti missions etc. are a great thing, but also expensive. But we also have people just around the corner that we can help in our own community. And what would be more awseome than helping the homeless by bicycle? Anyway have any of you ever done anything like this, and even if you haven't what if you were going to head out with a backpack filled with something to help the homeless what would it be? toiletries, socks, gloves? Any sugjestions are greatly appreciated.

cyclist2000

I have seen a ministy that used cycling events as a fund raiser to provide food to the food bank. They charge everyone a tax deductable entry fee.

LarDasse74

THis is similar to what missionaries do. Although not all of them use bikes, and the bike is not central to the teachings - it is just a tool.

KtownScott

I just figured the bike would allow me to cover more of the area faster.

wahoonc

I kind of go the other way. I pass out inexpensive reflective vests to the utility riders that I see out and about. One of my suppliers from work gave me an extra case on our last order to pass out as I saw fit.

Aaron

LarDasse74

Which I think is the reason the LDS use them.

SurlyLaika

haha...god?

6footeli

I think it might be good to find some people in your area who are already working with the homeless. Also its more important to have quality not quanity interactions. Don't worry so much about numbers. If your willing to listen many homeless people will talk to you at length. 1 to 2 hours. Find out what they might need by talking to them. They may need a pair of socks, but they also need a friend. They'll care more about how you treat them vs what you give them. I helped with a ministry for a number of years in Minneapolis called the Jesus Kitchen. We set up in the same spot every saturday night and fed people and talked to them. We'd have blankets and warm clothes on hand, as well as hot food and coffee. At this point that ministy has been happening for about 15 years. If you want to do something really cool, you could fix up a bike and be willing to literally give a homeless person your bike. If you give someone a bike give them a lock too so they can keep it for a while. Long story longer, if you've never really interacted with the homeless it may be wise to tag along with someone who has.

jimblairo

If you need a jersey!

https://www.elevengear.us/cotb.html

Velo Dog

I think you have a couple of problems. First, the cycling ministry idea doesn't make much sense, at least to me. You can't carry enough stuff to do much good, and there's no reason to use a bicycle instead of a car. I mean, you could get in some good riding, but if your goal is actually to help people, there are much more efficient ways to do it.
Second, unless you're going to pay the bills yourself, you'll need to apply for grants and donations. That's a competitive business these days (and it IS a business). You need to clean up your writing and punctuation if you're going to be taken seriously. There are several mistakes in your post, and that kind of thing can kill you with potential contributors.

Dudelsack 

Wow. ^^^ A bit grumpy.

Think outside the box. All of the suggestions are good ones, but maybe you should try something different. See where the Spirit leads you.

SlimRider

Create a bicycle co-op, sponsored by the area churches. Have it function as a work/school facility for homeless youth. They could learn how to become bicycle mechanics. Run a special workshop during the winter months, where the homeless youth learn how to tig-weld frames and make custom bicycles. The head of the co-op, should be someone like a teacher, minister, counselor, or police officer, who knows bikes.

This will be more of a permanent fixture within the community that can offer real help for the homeless youth of our society. At the days end, they can clean up the co-op, prepare own meals, study (if they don't have their GED's), and retire for the night.

Garfield Cat

Sounds like this is a community thing. First you might try to "comb the landscape" and find out what local agencies do and how you would fit in to complement what's already being done. There are many "needs" within the homeless community. Cycling related may or may not be the answer.

estrem

There is an organization which operates in the Sacramento/Roseville, CA area that collects old bikes/parts and refurbishes them. They then provide them to the homeless through various avenues. While this isn't exactly what you asked about, you might check them out and see if it sparks any ideas.
www.cycles4hope.org

LarDasse74

If I were you I would canvass my friends/neighbors/fellow worshippers at church for help buying a good cargo trailer... then you can travel around collecting non-perishables for the food bank. Also look into accepting donations towards a bike-related development project like:

https://www.konaworld.com/africabike.cfm
https://www.designfordevelopment.org/...ambulance.html

Or even BikesNotBombs, or the Livestrong Foundation... or the Red Cross or.... anything!!!

Doing good doesn't have to be complicated.

KtownScott

Velo dog I was waiting on someone to pop off a smart remark. Thanks to all those who posted the advice/tips. That gives me somewhere to start.

Booger1

Why don't you ride around and ask them?

If I'm riding around on a bike and want to help you nice folks out,what would you suggest that I bring? It has to be something small...a hat,bandana,shoelaces,ect.

KtownScott

That is what I am thinking my best bet would be. Thanks for your help Booger.

10 Wheels

Go ask here:

Most shelters also are always looking for volunteers

https://www.homelessshelterdirectory....ville&state=TN

Booger1

I just went through my waterproof material to get rid of the stuff I don't want anymore.I hated to throw it away.There's a shopping cart lady that sleeps by my house that's been around along time.She always has a plastic tarp covering her cart.

So I borrowed a cart from the local Stater Bros. and made a custom waterproof cover for it,then rode by and gave it to her along with a ground sheet.She tried to give me money! Maybe she has more money than me?....

There's another man,which I haven't seen for a few months,that was always downtown for many years.He had old clothes but they were always clean.Wore a button up shirt and tie,dress slacks and wingtips,always polished.Had 4-5 bags with him at all times and would sleep by the railroad tracks.Many times I brought him plates of food from home,whatever we had that night.Nice fellow,retired ironworker.

My homeless days are a couple years away yet....I hope.

geo8rge

Good luck with your endeavor, treat it like a business, contact score.org and local organizations like the rotary and chamber of commerce for ideas. Also talk to local government officials to make sure what you do is okee dokee with the police, fire, buildings, tax people. Don't forget to get a lawyer and insurance agent involved early in the process.

https://www.secondlifebikes.org/ started off in a Chuch. It is a bicycle co-op. Many of their customers are very poor and have their more basic transportation problems solved. Opening such a business will allow the people you want to minister to, to travel to you and Church, which I think is the best way to do it. It is also possible that it could turn into a marginally profitable business (or better) which would help the local economy.

Artkansas 

Check out Recycle Bikes for Kids. They collect old bicycles and fix them up for kids and adults. The fellow who runs it thinks of it as a ministry. Another cool thing acquaintances of mine do is that they hold a free bicycle repair shop before church, especially aimed at the working poor and homeless. Keeping bikes running is just as important as giving them out.

Artkansas 

My ancestors used to be circuit riding ministers. I've often wondered how they would have reacted to exchanging a horse for a bicycle.

Big props for focusing on your local scene.

Ratzinger

There are people who walk around my city with a backpack full of sandwiches. They are much appreciated. You could do the same on a bike.

apclassic9

there are always those people at the Sunday morning bike races who miss attending church....?