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Riding for a cause: Local volunteer tackles 10-day journey to combat food insecurity

August 20, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Joshua Drakes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Orangeville resident Randy Hunter is once again taking to his bicycle to raise money for the Orangeville Food Bank, combining his passion for cycling with a cause he has supported as a volunteer for several years.

Hunter will use his cycling trip around Ontario, the Ride Food Bank Ride, to promote financial support for the Orangeville Food Bank. The trip bridges two things he holds dear: cycling and supporting those in need.

“I’m combining my love of cycling and the need at the food bank for this trip,” he said. “I volunteer at the food bank, and so I see firsthand what the needs are and the shape that some people are in. You see so many people coming in there that are working full-time jobs, but they just can’t keep up with inflation, housing and food costs.”

Hunter, who has volunteered at the food bank for three to four years, witnessed these struggles and decided that simply volunteering his time wasn’t enough. He wanted to actively support the food bank in a greater capacity by generating more cash for the organization to purchase essential foods and supplies.

While food donations remain important, Hunter said financial contributions are critical.

“Typically people will bring food, and that’s fantastic, but the food bank also needs money,” he said. “They’ve got to buy fresh produce all the time. Also stuff with milk, eggs, that kind of stuff too. We’ve got to buy it all the time, so the money is very important to keep coming in alongside food donations.”

Last year, Hunter raised $7,221 through his cycling campaign. This year, he has set his sights even higher.

Hunter is aiming for a grand total of $10,000.

The roughly 10-day cycling journey will take Hunter through a loop of communities across central and southwestern Ontario before bringing him back to Orangeville. His route will take him from Orangeville to Guelph, Elmira, Goderich, Kincardine, Owen Sound, Wasaga Beach, Midland, Orillia and Barrie before returning home.

Hunter chose the route in part because he has friends and family in several of the communities, allowing him to arrange overnight stays along the way. This year, he is riding the route in the opposite direction from his previous campaign.

Hunter hopes the campaign will encourage others to support the food bank and other local organizations where they can. After more than two decades in Orangeville, he said the community’s continued willingness to support local causes has remained one of its defining qualities.

“I keep on waiting for a donor burnout that people have just had enough, but it doesn’t happen, and people just keep giving,” he said. “It’s just an incredible community. If we have a food bank drive… people are always giving. It just doesn’t seem to dry up.”

The campaign comes as demand for food bank services continues to increase, making Hunter’s fundraising goal particularly timely.

With a $10,000 goal ahead of him, Hunter hopes his ride will turn kilometres on the road into much-needed support for the Orangeville Food Bank and the people it serves.

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