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Cyclist passes through New Tecumseth during 700-kilometre food bank fundraiser

August 7, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Paula Brown

An Orangeville man is hoping to help tackle food insecurity in by pedaling about 700 kilometres around Ontario.

Randy Hunter, a 69-year-old volunteer with the Orangeville Food Bank, left on July 28 on a 10-day long cycling challenge he’s calling Ride Food Bank Ride, with the goal of raising funds to support the local food bank’s efforts.

He recently passed through New Tecumseth, and is continuing his journey, with pitstops in Orillia, Midland, Wasaga Beach, Owen Sound, Port Elgin, Goderich, Elmira, and Fergus. The 700-kilometre ride concludes when Hunter returns back to Orangeville.

Hunter has been volunteering with the Orangeville Food Bank since 2023 and said he was inspired to take up the cycling challenge after witnessing the growing demand for food bank services and the need for more funding to sustain the growth.

“I see all the people coming in and out and the numbers are staggering. The number of people using the food bank services have grown quite a bit over the last couple of years, and it’s not just an Orangeville thing, but a Canada-wide issue. The need is not going to go away,” said Hunter.

Cycling long distances to help raise money for worthy causes is not a new venture for Hunter, who for the last 10 years has participated in the Princess Maragaret Ride To Conquer Cancer initiative. He also previously cycled the final six-day leg of a friend’s mission to cycle across Canada.

“I’m combining my love of cycling with the needs. It’s just a way that I can give back,” said Hunter.

The Orangeville Food Bank serves roughly 1,500 people each month, of which, about 25 per cent of those clients indicate employment as their primary source of income. Of the 1,500 clients, 36 per cent of them are children, and an increasing number are seniors.

According to the Orangeville Food Bank, there has been a 133 per cent increase in usage since January 2020.

At the time of print, Hunter has raised roughly $3,600 for the Orangeville Food Bank through the Ride Food Bank Ride fundraiser.

“It’s absolutely amazing what happens in Orangeville. The people are so giving,” said Hunter. “I’ve been sitting back waiting for a donor burnout to happen, but that hasn’t happened. The people just keep giving and I find that absolutely amazing.”

Those interested in helping Hunter raise money to support the local food bank’s efforts to tackle food insecurity, can donate to the fundraiser by visiting canadahelps.org/en/charities/orangeville-food-bank-caring-for-the-community/campaign/ride-food-bank-ride/.

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