Thank you for putting in the effort to fundraise on behalf of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the people who utilize our services.


Bike Divider


Here are some tips and guidelines for fundraising for your ride!

Do:

  • Be direct – the best way to get someone to donate is to ask them to donate!
  • Always be respectful when talking about people who utilize the Food Bank and other services in the food assistance network.
  • Make your message personal – regardles of where or how you’re talking about your fundraising, include why you’re riding and why addressing food insecurity in Western Massachusetts is important to you.
  • Get informed about food insecurity and hunger in the region, and the ways the Food Bank works to address it. People love to know how their donation has a direct impact on their community!
  • Make it easy – in electronic communications, include a link directly to your personal or team fundraising page. When talking to people in-person, send people to willbike4food.org. If possible, follow up those conversations with an email or Facebook message sending them directly to your fundraising page.
  • Keep track of cash and check donations, and inform events@foodbankwma.org when you receive them so their totals can be added to your fundraising page. Please also instruct your supporters to make checks payable to "Food Bank of Western Massachusetts" and to include your team name or your individual name on the memo line.

 

Please don't:

  • Alter the name of our organization. Please always refer to us as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
  • Use terms such as "the needy" or "the hungry". It is very important to us at the Food Bank to be intentional with the language we use to talk about to the experiences of individuals and families utilizing Food Bank services. Instead, we ask that our riders use terms that support our efforts to reduce stigma and highlight people's agency, such as "guests" (of pantries), "participants" (of programs), or simply "people utilizing the Food Assistance Network". 
  • Alter our logo or artwork (i.e. stretching, resizing, changing the color, cropping)
  • Use screen shots or copies of our artwork (including logo, slogans, photographs, etc.) from our website or social media pages. If you need something that is not included in this toolkit, please email risleyd@foodbankwma.org.
  • You can share your participant page on Facebook but please do not set up a Facebook fundraiser (where people donate directly through Facebook instead of your official participant page). We are unable to attribute funds collected through Facebook to your Will Bike 4 Food efforts. 

 

Hosting a fundraising event? Let us know ahead of time and we may be able to help spread the word! Email Risleyd@foodbankwma.org.

Messaging Examples

Social Media is a great way to connect with your supporters by posting regular updates on your progress. Share the link to your fundraising page when you do and use the hashtags #WillBike4Food and #EndHunger for some extra traction.

Example posts:

  • Did you know that just $1 can provide 3 nutritious meals for neighbors facing food insecurity through the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts? 
    Last year alone, the Food Bank helped distribute more than 14 million meals across our community—fueling families, kids, adults, and seniors throughout Western Mass. Your support truly makes an impact.
    Donate here: (fundraising page link)
    #WillBike4Food #WB4F #EndHunger
  • I’m participating in Will Bike 4 Food on September 20th to support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and I need your help!
    The Food Bank helps provide more than 14 million meals each year and supports more than 120,000 people every month across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. Your donation helps ensure families, kids, adults, and seniors in our region have access to nutritious food.
    Donate to help me reach my goal of $______: (fundraising page link)
    #WillBike4Food #WB4F #EndHunger
  • I’m excited to be participating in Will Bike 4 Food to support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts! 
    Your support powers programs like the Mobile Food Bank, which brings fresh produce and groceries directly to communities with limited access to food—serving hundreds of families at each distribution across Western Mass. Together with its network of nearly 200 local food pantries, the Food Bank is showing up where help is needed most.
    Support my ride and this vital work here: (fundraising page link)
    #WillBike4Food #WB4F #EndHunger
Emails can be used to send personalized messages to friends, family, and colleagues with your story, the Food Bank’s impact data and a link to your fundraising page. 

Example emails:
  • Subject: Help Provide Nutritous Meals - Support My Ride!

Hi (Name),

I’m participating in Will Bike 4 Food to support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, which helps provide the equivalent of more than 14 million meals each year to people across our region. The Food Bank supports more than 120,000 people every month through food pantries, meal sites, and community programs throughout Western Mass.

Your donation helps ensure families, kids, adults, and seniors have reliable access to nutritious food. Please consider supporting my ride by donating through my page:
(Fundraising page link)

Thank you so much for your support!

 
  • Subject: Support My Ride to End Hunger in Western Massachusetts

Hi (Name),

I’m riding in Will Bike 4 Food to support the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and its work across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. The Food Bank partners with nearly 200 local food pantries, meal sites, shelters, and Mobile Food Bank locations to get fresh, nutritious food directly into communities where it’s needed most.

Your donation helps strengthen this local network and supports programs that bring food directly to people facing barriers to access. If you’re able, please consider donating here:
(Fundraising page link)

Thank you for being part of the effort to end hunger!