Riders to Explore Utica’s Cuisine While Helping Rescue Mission

A Tour d’Utica bicycle ride highlighting Utica’s authentic cuisine on Saturday, Sept. 8, will benefit programs to feed the hungry and homeless at the Rescue Mission of Utica through a food drive. Billed as a casual, social ride, it starts at the Mission on Rutger Street at 10:30 a.m., rain or shine. Registration opens at 10 a.m.

“The ride is free, although we are asking those who are able to bring a non-perishable food item to the Mission,” noted Tour d’Utica Volunteer John D. Ossowski.

“The tour is organized by volunteers from Utica Velo (uticavelo.com) to highlight our community while promoting cycling as a viable, fun and safe means of urban transportation,” Ossowski said. This is the group’s fourth tour, which features food as the theme. With some 100 cyclists expected to participate, “we will visit local restaurants and food stores,” he said. “We want to draw attention to the importance of food in our community for the health and well-being of our people, our shared cultures and the planet.” As part of that, he said, “we are conducting a food drive for the Rescue Mission.”

Ossowski said he expects some eateries and stores to offer coupons or food samples to riders. The tour will include stops at For the Good Inc. Community Gardens on Linwood Place, Napoli Italian Bakery on Culver Avenue, Europa Foods on Albany Street, Farmers Market at Union Station, Zeina’s Café on Varick Street, Pulaski’s Meat Market on Lenox Avenue, and then conclude back at the Rescue Mission.

Riders are encouraged to bring helmets. For more information, contact Ossowski at cnybap@gmail.com or 315-269-9619, or contact Rescue Mission Development Director Deborah Kenyon at 315-735-1645 Ext. 115.

Each year, the Rescue Mission serves more than 132,000 meals to the hungry, provides over 20,000 nights of lodging and care to those facing homelessness, and assists over 1,000 men and women in their battle against substance abuse.

By C. Harris-Lockwood