The 14th Annual Ride to Fight Hunger hosted by Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey (JFCSNNJ) will take place on Sunday, June 9. This fundraising event addresses food insecurity and helps support other social and mental health services that JFCS provides the community.
The event this year is being held in Rockleigh, New Jersey. Participants can choose from four bike routes — 3, 10, 25, and 50 miles — or join a guided hike. The event also features games and fun activities for all ages, including a magician and face painting, as well as food and drinks.
Check-in and start times for each route and the hike are:
- 50 miles: 6:30 a.m. Check-In / 7:00 a.m. Start
- 25 miles: 7:30 a.m. Check-In / 8:00 a.m. Start
- 10 miles: 8:30 a.m. Check-In / 9:00 a.m. Start
- 3 miles: 9:00 a.m. Check-In / 9:30 a.m. Start
- Guided Hike: 8:30 a.m. Check-In / 9:00 a.m. Start
Since its inception 14 years ago, the Ride to Fight Hunger has expanded from addressing food insecurity to supporting JFCS’s four service pillars: mental health services, older adult services, food insecurity services, and basic needs assistance. These services benefit thousands of individuals and families annually.
Over 800 families currently receive support from the JFCS Corner Market food pantry and more than 270 homebound seniors receive kosher meals on wheels in Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson counties.
In March 2024 alone, JFCS received 466 calls for assistance – that’s a 31% increase from the same month in 2023, according to the organization’s data. The demand for services is up across all areas, with more children needing mental health care; more families facing financial emergencies; and more adult children lacking help to care for aging parents.
This year, JFCS aims to raise $236,000 through the Ride so they can continue providing these crucial services amid rising costs and escalating demand.
To participate, make a donation, or learn more about this event, visit RideToFightHunger.com or call (201) 837-9090. For more information about JFCS and its services, visit jfcsnnj.org or contact info@jfcsnnj.org.
