Montclair Bikery to Host 2nd Annual Turkey Ride

Following up on its huge success last year, the Montclair Bikery’s 2nd Annual Turkey Ride to ride and collect turkeys for the Human Needs Food Pantry will take place on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Cyclists will meet at the Montclair Bikery at 145 Valley Road at 9:30 a.m. and ride a flat, 15-mile circuitous route to the Brookdale Shoprite on Broad Street, Bloomfield, where they will buy frozen turkeys, and deliver them (by bike) to the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair.

The Human Needs Food Pantry distributes over 600 turkeys and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving feast to their clients the week of Nov. 24.

Last year, 75 cyclists braved arctic cold temperatures and bought and donated 175 turkeys to the Human Needs Food Pantry. This year, the Montclair Bikery is hoping to double both those numbers.

“That’s a tremendous help to us,” says Mike Bruno, Executive Director of the Human Needs Food Pantry. “It’s a little bit tense, hoping we’re going to have enough turkeys to supply everybody. I don’t want to tell anybody here, ‘Sorry, I don’t have a turkey for you.’”

The Pantry is expected to give out between 600-700 turkeys this year, to families in the communities of Montclair, Glen Ridge, and Bloomfield.

“It’s always inspiring to me to see so many people who are willing to give of themselves and share in such a fun event. That helps motivate us to give back to this great community,” said Dave Adornato, the owner of the Montclair Bikery.

Interested participants should register via email at montclairbikery@gmail.com or in person at the store prior to the ride.

• Riders may also sign up the day of the ride.
• All riders must be 18 years or older and are asked to bring $20 to buy the turkey, which is being discounted by the Brookdale Shoprite.
• Cyclists may buy additional turkeys and these will be transported to the Pantry as well.

The Montclair Bikery is grateful for the following sponsors who are helping to underwrite the event: Amanti Vino, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Sharon Gill, Central Engineering & Supply Co., Corneal Associates of NJ, Egans, Partners for Health, Sandler O’Neill & Partners, Shoprite, and Thomas Direct.