Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen Society organizes 4th annual bike and walk-a-thon

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Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen Society, a Vancouver-based charity, is organizing their fourth annual “Love All Feed All Bike-a-Thon and Walk-a-Thon” on July 14 in New Westminster.

The event will feature 100 and 60 kilometre bike-a-thons starting at 8:00 and 8:30 am respectively. The 10 kilometre walk-a-thon will start at 11:00 am and the 5 kilometre walk-a-thon will start at 11:30 am.  

The route will start at Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar in New Westminster and participants can meet up at Ryall Park at 2:00 pm afterwards. There will be regular pit stops along the way at Garry Point, Iona Beach Regional Park, Queensborough, and Gurudwara Nanak Niwas. 

Riders will be led enroute by designated ride captains. Tech and bike support will be available for minor repairs, along with access to medical support and basic first aid. Refreshments will be provided to participants throughout the journey. Volunteers will be present to help provide directions at busy intersections. 

Participants can register as an individual, team, or as volunteers. Prizes will be provided to the individual or team that raises the most funds at the end of the event. 

Dr. Baldev Sanghera has been a volunteer with the charity for more than a decade, starting in 2012. 

“I think it’s a great place to do seva (service) and actually live by the rules of Sikhi. It’s a fantastic way to [teach] kids about how to serve other people with compassion and live life according to our values,” he says. 

The fundraiser initially started when the society bought their first location in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) in 2021. Sanghera says the location is currently undergoing renovations and will be operational by the end of summer. 

“Each year we try to add in a little bit more for people to enjoy and bring their families together.”

Sanghera also says the fundraiser provides a festive atmosphere, with the procession being joined by the local police force, mayor, community members, and a fire truck. The location will also have a live radio telecast, and langar (free meal) will be served to everyone at the end of the event.

“Anybody in the local community, if they wish to come and have a nice warm meal, are more than welcome to come,” Sanghera says. 

This year, the event will also include a play area for kids who cannot participate in the physical activities. 

Sanghera says the organization aims to make sure everyone feels supported and that participants motivate each other and ensure safety during the event. 

“We ride as a group, it’s not a race,” he says. 

Last year, about 200 people participated in both cycling and walking. Sanghera recommends walkers wear a pair of comfortable shoes and sunscreen, adding that there will be multiple stations on the way for water, electrolytes, and fruit. Ice cream will also be served to participants at the end. 

He says the event is inclusive of people from all age groups and experience with cycling. For individuals who can’t bike but want to participate and volunteer, there will be a special 1 kilometre walk-a-thon.

For people who aren’t experienced bike riders, the 60 kilometre bike-a-thon is a calm and slow-paced ride that should take about two-and-a-half hours, Sanghera says. 

What started as a mission to serve langar to residents in the DTES in 2006 has since expanded into a non-profit organization serving fresh meals twice a week to about 500 to 800 people, depending on the need and weather.

“We unfortunately do have folks that are vulnerable for multiple different reasons,” Sanghera says. “We want to show that we shouldn’t be judging anybody for being a little bit down on their luck. But we, as a society, can come together in full compassion and serve them without judgment.” 

Sanghera says the organization wants to promote the universal message of compassion, love, and equality — values that Guru Nanak Dev Ji stood for. The charity also gives the Punjabi community the opportunity to showcase their values. 

Funds raised at the event will contribute towards equipping the organization’s downtown location with a kitchen that can serve up to 1,000 people per day. Sanghera says the need for services like this has increased after the COVID-19 pandemic created affordability issues for many. 

Sanghera hopes attendees realize that they have the opportunity to support someone, whether it’s through volunteering or offering kind words or companionship. 

“We’re hoping that young or old people can see themselves as being those nurturing, compassionate people that are building a better community,” he says. 

“Throughout the whole day, the whole point is to show that we share what we have, and we live by our motto, which is ‘Love all, feed all.’”

Those interested can register for the bike-a-thon or walk-a-thon at https://shorturl.at/aNvoz. For more information about volunteering at Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen, visit https://gnfk.org/volunteer2/.