Thank you from the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry

One of the organizations that the congregation of Plymouth has generously supported over the years, including with this year’s Christmas Special Offering, is the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry (UBFM). Some may have had the opportunity to visit with “Chief Burrito Slinger” Robby Collier in March of 2024 when he spoke about UBFM at Sunday Forum.

Ray Turner, CFO of UBFM recently sent this note to the Plymouth congregation:

“Urban Bicycle Food Ministry is very Blessed to be supported in our mission by the congregation of Plymouth Church.  We are dedicated to serving our neighbors who are marginalized and hungry and believe we are good stewards of the gifts received.  We recognize that additional funds are provided because the project serves "at-risk" children and we will seek opportunities to better the lives of this population on our routes.”

 “As requested, we will provide a timely impact report to the Plymouth Board of Benevolence as to the expenditure of the funds provided.  As always, we welcome visits by members of Plymouth and would welcome all those interested in volunteering with us to see the gifts in action.”

UBFM is 100% volunteer run and meets weekly on Thursdays to prepare 800 burritos, 400 turkey & cheese sandwiches, and 400 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. They then go out on the streets to meet the unhoused and food insecure where they are: in alleyways, under bridges, in camp sights near the river, etc. UBFM volunteers distribute the prepared food along with fruit, snacks, water and the many needed donations of coats, hats, gloves, blankets, personal hygiene products, etc.

 Iowa PBS and WHO-TV did a segments on UBFM. Click on the links below to watch. You can find those links below.

•   Iowa PBS

•   WHO13-TV

  Food insecurity is a growing problem in Des Moines, and in Iowa as a whole. Learn more here about UBFM.