Wearing their hearts on their sleeve and with canned food in their hands, more than 100 bikers turned out to support the homeless in the annual Grub Run yesterday.
Hosted by Crossroads Biker Church Bundaberg the fifth annual Grub Run has helped raise funds and gather food donations for Dorcas Soup Kitchen, which supports needy people within the Bundaberg Region.
Organiser RayRay Collins said the group were keen to get back on the bike after Covid-19 put a stop to last year’s charity event.
RayRay said he had been grateful for the community support given to the Grub Run and he thanked the local businesses who donated non-perishable food items and raffle prizes.
“It’s really amazing, we even had a kind soul pay it forward so that someone who couldn’t afford the entry fee could still take part in the ride,” RayRay said.
Scotty Hudson from Crossroads Biker Church said each year the Grub Run showed the generosity within the community as plenty of donations rolled in to help.
“People out there are struggling, from the homeless to the needy – some people just can’t make ends meet,” Scotty said.
“We have members who turn up every year to support this ride, some come with one food can or item, and others turn up with boxes full – it’s really amazing!
“For those who couldn’t attend today there’s still an opportunity to help by dropping food donations to Dorcas whenever they can.”
Supporters Tony and Tonia Waterson said even when they couldn’t make the ride because of work commitments, they showed up with a carload of donations to drop off.
Tonia said they felt they had a responsibility to help when they could, and the Grub Run was an event they looked forward to each year.
“We would love to be involved in things like doing the soup kitchen but we don’t have the time, so helping with donations is something we can do, so we do,” she said.
“I guess the question for people to consider is how can they be involved?
“Whether it’s money or if they don’t have money, they can give time and if they don’t have time, they can give services – every little bit helps our community.”
Tony said they had participated in every Grub Run and also the annual blanket run since its inception and six months out from the annual event, they started to put away a little money each week to help buy groceries and non-perishables to donate.
