2025 'Turkey Ride' Will Benefit Montclair Food Pantry: Thanksgiving Events

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch Montclair community member. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Riders will take the streets on Sunday, Nov. 23 for the Montclair Bikery's 13th annual Turkey Ride benefiting the Human Needs Food Pantry to help community members enjoy a memorable Thanksgiving.

This year, the Montclair Bikery is expecting 400 cyclists to collect at least 1,400 turkeys for our neighbors in need. Over the last 12 years, the Turkey Ride has collected approximately 6,000 turkeys and raised over $300,000 for the Human Needs Food Pantry, an organization serving the community since 1982.

"The annual Turkey Ride has become a mainstay for the Thanksgiving holiday here at the Food Pantry, helping ensure that we have enough turkeys for all of the people we serve. We are grateful to everyone who organizes the event, all the generous donors and special thanks to all the riders who brave the elements and deliver the turkeys,” said Mike Bruno, Director of the Human Needs Food Pantry.

The ride takes place Sunday, Nov. 23 when cyclists will meet at the Montclair Bikery at 148 Valley Road at 9 a.m. to gear up for a flat, 15-mile circuitous route which begins at 10 a.m. First stop is Kings Food Markets at 650 Valley Road, where they will buy frozen turkeys before riding over to deliver them (by bike and van) to the Human Needs Food Pantry at 9 Label Street.

“It’s always inspiring to me to see so many people who are willing to give of themselves and share in such a fun event. That helps motivate us to give back to this great community,” said Dave Adornato, owner of the Montclair Bikery.

The Human Needs Food Pantry distributes over 1,500 turkeys and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving feast to their clients during the week of Nov. 23.

“Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that focuses specifically on giving thanks for all we have and we are thankful for all the caring, generous people who make this wonderful event happen every year. We are serving more people than ever before in our history and are only able to keep up with the holiday needs because of this event. You are definitely making a difference and helping us keep up with the growing demand,” Bruno added.

In 2024, over 350 cyclists enjoyed a beautiful, cold fall day when they bought and donated 1,266 turkeys to the Pantry. The need is even greater this year than ever before. SNAP benefits have been drastically cut, there is a notable rise in the number of clients and the cost of food has risen significantly.

The Human Needs Food Pantry serves over 4,000 households annually, an estimated 30 percent more than last year as the number rises by approximately 130 households each month. It also makes 250 food deliveries to homebound clients weekly. Food costs are up 34% vs. 2020 which greatly impacts the Pantry’s clients.

For those not able to ride on November 23, donations are welcome. There are multiple ways to contribute by making a donation for turkeys at the Montclair Bikery, at www.JustGiving.com/campaign/ turkeyride2025 or by sending/dropping off checks made out to the Human Needs Food Pantry. Checks can we delivered to both the Bikery and the Pantry.

Interested participants should register at www.bikereg.com/Montclair-Bikery-Turkey-Ride or in-person at the store prior to the ride. All riders must be 18 years or older, or 13+ with a parent, and wear a helmet.

Riders may also sign up the day of the ride and are asked to bring $20 to purchase the turkey. Cyclists may buy additional turkeys and these will be transported to the Pantry as well.

The Montclair Bikery is grateful for the following sponsors who are helping to underwrite the event: Amanti Vino, Avant Bio, Clara Maass Medical Center, Deer Solution Repellent Service, Egan & Sons, the Falstrom Company, Fishes and Loaves, Jack Finn & Co., JAG Physical Therapy, Joan Barrett for Stanton Company Realtors, John Garcia Construction Co., Kings Food Markets, KIPP NJ, Law Offices of Scott H. Bernstein, Montclair Kimberley Academy, Optavia Health Coach/Carolyn Twitchell, Partners for Health, R3volution Brands Inc, Saturn Wireless, Stoddart Associates, Temple Ner Tamid, Thomas Direct, UNDRBUDR, Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, YMCA of Montclair and the following families: The Adornatos, The Amatos, The Bordens, The Close Family, The Cotton/Clarkson/ Gouwars, The Finns, The Janulis Family, The Perls, The Souths, The Riders, The Sterlings, The Tses and The Waldocks.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.