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Bikes for Christ nonprofit struggles with bicycle shortage as need increases

Nonprofit needs new and used bikes
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Posted at 6:38 AM, Dec 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-10 07:30:08-05

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Tampa Bay area nonprofit Bikes for Christ is struggling with a pandemic perfect storm.

The local group works with dozens of organizations in four different Tampa Bay counties, helping everyone from children to veterans to the homeless trying to transition to a better life.

Bikes offer freedom, mobility, and greater chances of employment.

But therein lies the current problem. Because of the pandemic -- more people riding bikes, buying bikes, needing bikes -- there's a national bike shortage.

So Bikes for Christ, led by the award-winning CEO Pat Simmons, is reaching out to the community for help.

They need used bikes, new bikes and other donations. There's a particular shortage of men's bikes.

For more information on Bikes for Christ, click here.