17.5 percent of the children in under age 18 Washington State live in poverty.

Food Research and
Action Center, State
of the States, 2006

The Food Connection's backpack program provides backpacks filled with two days worth of food every Friday during the school year to more than 175 students at risk of hunger at five Tacoma elementary schools. Our Summer Meals sites serve lunch and a snack to hundreds of children every weekday during the summer.

Many people are finding that cycling is an excellent way to work a fitness routine into busy lifestyles. When you get out and get moving on a bike, you improve your health, reduce pollution, and see the countryside from a new perspective. Fortunately, it requires only a modest amount of equipment to get going; a properly fitted bike and helmet will get you started. Distance riders also need to have a water bottle on board to ensure proper hydration.

Old Town Bicycle, with shops in both Tacoma and Gig Harbor, will provide a free bike assessment for all Wheels to Meals riders to ensure your bike is road-ready and safe to ride. They also offer bike-fitting and cycling accessories that can make your riding experience more comfortable and fun. Getting your bike properly adjusted to your body dimensions will not only improve your pedaling efficiency, it will also help you avoid the aches and pains of an improper fit.

Your bike isn't the only machine you need to tune to get the most out of your cycling experience. Your body needs some prep work as well. Cycling is an excellent aerobic and lower body exercise, which means riding puts some healthy demands on those muscle groups. Begin with shorter distances on level terrain and work up to more challenging courses. Include stretches in your workout. They take very little time and will help minimize discomfort and injury.

Cycling is an excellent low-impact exercise. If you experience pain or discomfort while riding, it may be due to an improperly adjusted bike. Find an experienced professional to fit your bike to your personal needs. Pain beyond minor soreness or fatigue may also be a signal that you have an injury that needs attention. Bottom line - cycling should be and can be fun. If it hurts, there is a problem. Then it's time to seek out a professional who can help you identify and resolve the problem.