Bikes for the Blackfeet

Free Cycles and Essential Eats Distributors are partnering to provide bicycle education and outreach to the community of Heart Butte of the Blackfeet Nation. Please join us for an assembly line style bicycle fix-it night for our pilot project that will provide 60 bikes to kids in need in Heart Butte.

There will be food and beverages for volunteers that evening! **Don't fret or be turned away if you don't have any bicycle mechanic experience, we will be leading stations and teaching, just your presence and willingness will be helpful! Stop by anytime from Wed, April 18th and Thurs, April 19th from 4pm-8pm to lend a hand.

Overview

Essential Eats Distributors (EED) has invited Free Cycles to partner with their organization to provide bicycle education and outreach to the isolated community of Heart Butte. EED is a Missoula based nonprofit that works to end food insecurity for Montana's indigenous people in need. On May 14th we will travel to Heart Butte school with stands, tools, parts, and bikes. A combination of Free Cycles staff and volunteers will work for an entire day teaching kids how to fix their bicycle and providing 60 free bicycles for kids in need, partnering with other organizations that EED has recruited.

The Need

"Heart Butte, Montana is located in a remote area of the Blackfeet tribal land. Due to proximity and history, the community has limited resources and services. The life expectancy of a Native American in Montana is similar to that of someone in Sudan, Haiti, or Ethiopia. All of the students enrolled in public schools at Heart Butte are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Approximately 44% of Heart Butte’s population is 18 or younger." - *Information from Essential Eats Distributors.