Greetings,

While Pedals for Progress may be a small organization located in a small town, we are a global network that connects people looking for a helping hand with people looking to lend one. Our mission would not be possible without the help from our donors, collection sponsors, and volunteers. Reading this message, you are likely one of those and I would like to say thank you for playing a role in our success.

Going into any collection season is filled with a list of unknown variables that change week to week with each collection we have. The Spring 2023 collection season has been expectedly unexpected. We held 18 collections, and our sponsors went above and beyond to help us gather as many bikes and sewing machines as possible. While our number of collections this season reached a new high since the pandemic, the overall quantity of donations fell short of our expectations. We received fewer bikes this spring, allowing us to make only one shipment: 428 bikes and 20 sewing machines to Belize on June 3rd, 2023. However, sewing machine production was up and we were able to send two shipments totaling 90 sewing machines to Uganda in May!

While it wasn’t a true knock-out of a season there is a silver lining. In response to rising costs and inflation, we started requesting a $20 donation with each item. While it was an unfortunate decision, it proved necessary to sustain our operations. Despite receiving fewer bikes, we have seen an increase in the quality of the bikes and in monetary contributions. It’s a bittersweet outcome, but this change allows us to continue supplying bikes to our partner programs and maintain our operations.

The increase in our requested donation is merely one potential cause to the lighter than expected collection season. From competing with online marketplaces, increased value of used bikes domestically, weather (good or bad), economic instability, and even pure chance, the list of variables is never explicitly known. With this said, Pedals for Progress moves forward. Internationally, our active partners are in fantastic standing and ready and waiting to accept as many bikes as we can supply them.

Despite the challenges we face, this newsletter highlights the progress being made in our pursuit of economic development. I encourage you to explore the positive impact your support has helped us achieve. I am already excited to collect more bikes come fall, with an optimistic mind, I thank you for your support.