Advocacy

CHEFS CYCLE FOR NO KID HUNGRY

The culinary community is fighting hunger outside of the kitchen with Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry. Part fundraiser, part endurance event, all to end to childhood hunger in America. Culinary talents push their limits with Chefs Cycle, completing a three day, 300-mile bike ride. Follow Chefs Cycle May 16-18, 2017 in Santa Rosa, CA. Our goal is to roll with 250+ riders and raise $2 million, enough to feed 20 million meals to kids struggling with hunger.

No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 5 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength.

PROJECT BIKE TECH

The only program of its kind in the country, Project Bike Tech (PBT) uses bicycle education as a conduit to teach core academics, enhance lives, create career opportunities and inspire new generations to be passionate about bikes. PBT’s primary program, Bike Tech in School, is a credited high school elective that introduces students to bicycle industry careers, providing them with the skills needed to become entry-level bicycle mechanics and offering in-depth career counseling. In addition, the program uses bicycle mechanics as a tool to teach common CORE and STEM curriculum.

Students earn two certificates, one in career tech endorsed by DTE, and the other as an entry-level bike mechanic/assembler endorsed by members of the bicycle industry. As the student enters the bike industry, employers know the training is standardized and supported by the cycling industry.  projectbiketech.org

SPROCKIDS

Sprockids engages thousands of young people in the lifelong activity of mountain biking, teaching off-road cycling skills to youngsters from 8 to 18. Designed to be all-inclusive, Sprockids believes being active and having fun should be a part of everyday life. The program aims to get young people and their parents to take part in a bicycle community and enjoy a cycling lifestyle.

“Mountain biking is all about having adventure, fun, and discovery,” says Sprockids founder Doug Detwiller. “Sprockids gives young people the opportunity to develop the skills, values, and strategies that will guide them throughout their lives and enable them to successfully reach their full potential.” Sprockids benefits youth in more than 20 countries through programs run by parents, teachers, coaches, cycling clubs, youth organizations, and law enforcement agencies. www.sprockids.com

PEOPLE FOR BIKES

The People for Bikes movement is for people who care about bikes and who want to add their voices to the national movement to make cycling safer and more accessible. You can join for free by simply adding your name to their movement for better biking. People for Bikes works tirelessly to make cycling more accessible with missions like the Green Lane Project. The organization also lobbies governments for policies and transportation dollars to benefit cyclists. Giant annually supports the important work of People for Bikes with a financial donation as well as supporting their membership drives with web advertising, newsletter inclusion and social media pushes. www.peopleforbikes.org

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION (IMBA)

IMBA is a non-profit educational association dedicated to creating, enhancing, and preserving great mountain biking experiences. Giant’s monetary support of IMBA aids in the organizations’ work to build sustainable trails and bike facilities to make mountain biking more accessible. IMBA practices (and teaches!) environmentally responsible trail building and trail etiquette practices. They’re also a powerful voice for trails, public land and policies that welcome bikes. www.imba.com

YOUNG SURVIVAL COALITION (YSC)

This one is kind of personal for us. Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition was the first nonprofit organization to focus exclusively on the unique needs of young women affected by breast cancer. Founded by young survivors for young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young women diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their quality and quantity of life. We began supporting YSC and it’s annual YSC Tour de Pink® ride events in 2008. One of our employees who had taken part in two of those events, Michelle Weiser, lost her battle with breast cancer in July 2010. Our support of YSC took on new meaning. Each year, our women’s Liv brand holds a contest, open to breast cancer survivors, to design a road bike. The bike has come to be known as the Liv Avail Inspire, and a portion of the sales of the bike and related gear (like jerseys, socks, water bottles) goes directly to YSC. Additionally, we provide bikes and support to the bike riders who’ve raised money to take part in the two annual YSC Tour de Pink® rides. To find out how you can support this great organization, and even take part in one of the rides, visit www.youngsurvival.org