Elk Grove Group Gears up to Feed the Hungry

With more than $2,000 already collected, seven community members are in the home stretch of conditioning for a bike ride across Iowa that will raise money for Elk Grove’s homeless.

In just over two weeks, PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) Coordinator Frank Lucia, 61, and member John Platt, 75, will be accompanied by five other Elk Grovians to raise money for PATH by participating in the 39th Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI).

While some money has already been donated, more will be collected at a later date as some donors have pledged to give a certain dollar amount per every mile ridden, Lucia said.

Each member – Lucia, Platt, Penny Pinard, Dave Hieronimus, Arnie Vierra, John van Doren and Wendy Wyles – will ride 472 miles, climbing over 20,000 feet in a seven-day period from July 24 to 30.

PATH, launched in May 2010, is a program through the Elk Grove Food Bank Services that mentors members of the homeless population and assists them with basic life needs such as employment and housing connections.

With the event fast approaching, Lucia, who has never participated in long distance cycling before this, said he is increasing the amount of miles he rides every day.

“At my first spin class I crawled out after 20 minutes drenched in sweat,” Lucia said. “Now I can go for more than an hour and still feel like I could get on a bike after and ride some more.”

For Platt, the conditioning has not been quite as much of a challenge as he has participated in eight RAGBRAI rides already, but his first time riding for PATH. In past years, he has ridden for programs such as Sierra Adoption Services and the Moral Values Program.

Though Lucia said riding almost 500 miles in seven days and camping in a tent at night was not originally his idea of fun, he has been pleased with the results he has seen from bike riding.

“I have lost 10 pounds already and I can’t seem to eat enough,” Lucia said. “I’ve got aches and pains, a hip replacement and arthritic knees, and none of it bothers me when I ride a bike.”

Lucia also said he hopes that camping in tents every night will give the group a better understanding of what homeless people have to go through on a regular basis.

Platt, an Elk Grove resident for 40 years and Lucia, a resident for 38 years, both say they have noticed an increase in the city’s homeless population over the years.

“We have to do something to help our fellow man,” Platt said. “Some people say we shouldn’t help because that will bring more homeless people to the area, but I can’t worry about what those people say.”

Marie Jachino, executive director of Elk Grove Food Bank Services, said she is grateful for the commitment of the team.

“These volunteers are investing a lot of time and personal expenses,” she said. “It’s very generous of them and the food bank appreciates it very much.”

All money donated will go directly to PATH to assist Elk Grove’s homeless population.

TO PLEDGE MONEY: People can mail checks to P.O. Box 1447, Elk Grove, CA 95759. Make checks payable to PATH c/o Elk Grove Food Bank.