More than a dozen donated bicycles hang from a homemade rack in Downtown Ministries workshop.
- Community organizations donate bikes
- Volunteers also fix up bicycles for homeless
- Organizers: If homeless don't have bike, they can't become successful
The bikes, donated from numerous community organizations from across Manatee County, will soon make their way into the hands of homeless residents in Bradenton's Ballard Park neighborhood.
Organizer Christina Monroe-Loomes says the bicycles are a way to help each of these residents get back on their feet.
"It means they can get a job. For some it means they can get a place to live. For others it means they can just get from place to place," she explained.
Downtown Ministries gets so many requests for bikes that they have a waiting list. Each Tuesday night, volunteers take the donated bikes and fix them up, before handing them out to those who need them.
On Saturday, nearly 10 people had the chance to pick out the right bike for them during a morning block party.
"If they don't have a bike, they can become isolated and not successful," said Monroe-Loomes.
James Tolbert received a bike two weeks ago and now he is celebrating the end of his first week of work at a local landscaping company.
"It's just a blessing. I mean I've got a job so soon, we can get off the streets." he said. "We're just tired of living on the streets," his wife, Yvonne, added.
Downtown Ministries handed out their 100th bike of the year on Saturday and they hope to top more than 200 by the end of the year.