Wheeler Raises Money for God’s Kitchen

As the new football pavilion sporting his name attests, when John Wheeler sees a need, he does something about it.

Last July for the third straight year, Wheeler helped rally hundreds of bikers to help raise money for God’s Kitchen—an ecumenical, non-profit organization that receives no financial support from federal, state or local government. With programs such as Meals on Wheels, Special Delivery and Capitol Lunch, God’s Kitchen helps feed the hungry in Grand Rapids. In 2000, God’s Kitchen prepared and served nearly 100,000 free meals, and now reports feeding more than 300 hungry people a day.

When Wheeler learned that the kitchen was itself in desperate need, he organized the Rally for Hunger, which brings together hundreds of bikers who raise funds to keep the free food programs going. This year the bikers rode from the DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids to Bertha Brock Park in Ionia.

The third annual rally raised about $40,000. Wheeler’s company, Rockford Construction, along with classic rock station WLAV-FM, help out the fundraising by sponsoring a raffle, the main prize of which is a brand-new Harley Davison Fatboy.

The endeavor brings together Wheeler’s love of riding and problem-solving skills.

“There’s a lot of less fortunate people than all these Harley riders, and they know it,” Wheeler was quoted as saying in the Detroit News. “You’ve gotta eat. Everybody’s gotta eat.”

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