For the month of June 2017 the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark will  “Share the Plate” with Wilmington’s Urban Bike Project. Each month UUFN donates half of its total offerings to a different organization. Organizations must apply to be considered. The main criteria to apply is that the organization must be local and that the donations given will make a difference for the organization.

Urban Bike Project is a non-profit community bike shop that supports Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycling as a healthy, affordable and practical means of transportation and recreation.

Over 1,000 Wilmington residents annually, both youth and adults, purchase affordable used bikes, use the project’s tools to repair their bikes with help from volunteer mechanics, or learn how to ride safely at our shop. Adults in need of reliable transportation to get to work and other necessary services can also apply to receive a free bike.

Through the Urban Bike Project’s youth programs, youth can join weekend rides, volunteer to earn shop credit, or take mechanics classes to earn a free bike. They also host a week-long summer camp that connects Wilmington youth with their communities through bicycling and volunteer projects. In 2016, Urban Bike Project put 347 bikes in the hands of Wilmington residents.

Access to bicycling improves the health of Wilmington’s residents, empowers low-income individuals to be self-sufficient, and helps both youth and adults gain confidence and independence. Urban Bike Project helps Wilmington leverage bicycling to create more vibrant streets, reduce congestion, improve environmental quality, and promote economic development.