Harley riders collect food, funds to feed Valley's hungry

PHOENIX - Valley chapters of the Harley-Davidson Owners Groups (H.O.G. ®) have gotten together to collect enough food and money to provide 80,000 meals for Arizona's hungry.

The donations were gathered during the third annual Biker's Challenge Food Drive for St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance.

According to St. Mary's Food Bank, the total meals collected for 2011 more than doubles the 35,000 meals collected in 2010.

The "Biker's Challenge" Trophy was awarded this year to the H.O.G. chapter based out of the Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson location in Anthem.

"St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance is proud to partner with such a great, community-minded organization as the Harley Owners Group, and we're amazed to see how much this Biker's Challenge event has grown in just three years," St. Mary's President and CEO Terry Shannon said.

On Sunday, the Bikers' Challenge Hunger Ride will make its final destination the Anthem location, after food and funds have been collected at each of the six participating Harley-Davidson dealerships. Riders will have a celebration lunch and awards ceremony.

More than 200 riders and friends are expected to participate.