MANITOWANING—Joseph Caulfield, a resident of Manitowaning, is encouraging Island residents, both permanent and seasonal, to provide non-perishable food items that will be presented to the Manitoulin Food Bank as he gets set to embark on his second annual bicycle ride from Manitowaning to Mindemoya, picking up the food items at bins along the way.
“Last year we were able to raise close to $2,000 worth of non-perishable food items provided through the support of the public (a total of 275 non-perishable food items), and this year, the goal is to get to $3,000 worth, at least,” Mr. Caulfield told The Expositor last week.
“I am going to be taking the same route this year on the ride, from Manitowaning to Mindemoya,” said Mr. Caulfield, noting the ride will be taking place on Sunday, August 31.
Mr. Caulfield and his wife Katharine moved to Manitoulin in May 2024. As he did last year, he is encouraging residents on the Island to donate non-perishable food items in six bin locations set up along the route from Manitowaning to Mindemoya (ending at the Manitoulin Food Bank). As well, residents can leave the food items by their mailboxes on the day of the ride to be picked up by a truck accompanying Mr. Caulfield on his ride.
Mr. Caulfield, who owns a bicycle company on the Island, Bike Whizzards, grew up in London, England. When he and his wife moved into their home in Manitowaning, they found that the previous owners had left many good items like kayaks and food, which they donated to the food bank.
“The whole idea is that it is the end of summer, and many people will be going home from camp for the season and leaving the Island,” Mr. Caulfield said. “We ask that, before leaving camp for the season for them to look in their food cupboard and donate non-perishable food items toward the cause,. What is collected could help the food bank stock up needed food items for the winter.”
“We are holding this annual ride on the same weekend every year, the Labour Day long weekend,” said Mr. Caulfield.
Mr. Caulfield said he will be putting bins out by Friday, August 14 at the Guardian Pharmacy, Home Hardware and Canada Post Corporation buildings in both Manitowaning and Mindemoya. “As the ride is taking place on a Sunday, everything will be loaded on a truck on Friday, August 29,” he pointed out.
Mr. Caulfield is already making plans for next year’s ride, telling The Expositor, “Next year, I will be riding from Little Current to Manitowaning and from there to Mindemoya.”
