Fighting poverty one ride at a time
April 13, 2016
Bringing awareness to the poverty-stricken residing in nearby communities, Ride 2 Feed, a Diamond Bar High School club, aspires to change the way students view homeless citizens, and aims to provide those in need with comfort by donating necessities.
Initially, club president junior Gabrielle Niko visited the Santa Ana River trail multiple times as a method of bicycle training.
While riding, she noticed the large number of homeless people living under the freeway and street bridges.
Hoping to aid the homeless, Niko began distributing basic necessities, such as water bottles and granola bars and was rewarded with impactful responses.
“The happiness they expressed to me was life changing. It was really touching because they were just getting a few granola bars and water bottles, but they were so grateful and positive,” Niko said.
However, Niko realized that a larger group of volunteers could cover more area and benefit more of the homeless population. As a result, she started the club this school year with the help of her friends.
The club accepts donations of basic necessities—ranging from toothpaste to dog food to clothing and it can be dropped off in the rooms of DBHS club advisors Malinalli Cooke and Eric Sorenson, with a label of the club’s name on it.
The club members visit the Santa Ana River trail, where they distribute donations to the homeless. Participants stuff their backpacks with as many donation items as possible, before setting off on the roughly seven-mile bike ride.
The members make frequent stops in order to give the donations to any homeless person they encounter.
“It opened my eyes to [see] how hard life can be. You think that life is already so hard, but then you see people living in the cold without homes and salvaging for food. You’re more grateful for your life,” Niko said.
Currently, the club has had three rides so far, and parents, students, and even siblings from various schools attend the ride. In addition, advisor Sorenson has also attended the ride before.
“I ride my bike everyday to school, and I like to make that work, not just for exercise [but also] for other purposes too. It’s nice to give them something out of what you have. It reaches out and helps people directly,” Sorenson said.
In comparison to other volunteer clubs or homeless shelters, Niko views Ride 2 Feed as a way of having a closer connection to the homeless. While on these bike rides, the members get a chance to talk to the homeless, and listen to their stories.
“When you stop to give them food, they tell you about themselves and they love talking to you. They don’t get to talk often because others are afraid of them or don’t talk to them. There’s more of a humanitarian connection compared to other volunteer clubs,” Niko said.
In addition to aiding the homeless living near the trail, Niko hopes the bike rides will benefit the participants as well. Instead of taking the things they have for granted, she wishes everyone will become compassionate towards those who are need of help.
“I hope that by going on these rides or even just going to a homeless shelter and feeding them, [people] spread more hope to the homeless,” Niko said.
