Manna From Heaven ride nets 2,000 pounds of food

Jolanda Jansma

Teeters Sports Bar patrons show their pride while making a donation, including from left, Tom Presley, Dee Russell, Curt Karvonen and Randal “Teeter” Sparks.

Jolanda Jansma

Angels of the food drive, according to Manna from Heaven CEO Stephanie Stieler, were the members of the Dixie Iron Riders who led the ride. From left are Bill Kilgore, Mike Kirby, Stieler, Travis Galyon, Robert Galyon and Dustin Cole.

Jolanda Jansma

Standing beside raffle prizes at the Manna From Heaven Motorcycle Ride is Stephanie Stieler.

Motorcycle enthusiasts from throughout the area converged on the Harley-Davidson Shed recently to help fill the cupboards of a local food pantry.

Big Daddy’s Sports Bar and Teeters Bar and Grill each made large donations of food and funds for the Manna from Heaven food pantry during the event on Aug. 23. The Dixie Iron Riders riding group also led motorcyclists on a ride and members of the group helped Manna from Heaven president Stephanie Stieler throughout the day as she spearheaded the event.

Big Daddy’s employees brought a Sport Utility Vehicle loaded down with food. Teeters Sports Bar employees answered the challenge to help the area needy by bringing a truckload of food.

Stieler said sponsors for the event included Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, Teeters Sport Bar, The Hair Garden and Target.

“It went very, very well. We had 2,000 pounds of food, $800 in cash with the sale of tickets and $1,500 in donations,” Stieler said. “What was impressive was the enthusiasm of the business people and how they reached out.”

Stieler also credited Truth Radio for helping get word of the event out to the public. A group of 10 volunteers showed up because of hearing about the event on Truth Radio, she said.

“I was very impressed with our first food drive. I’m very impressed with just the way the community came together,” she said.

Stieler said a toy drive is planned for Nov. 22.