POINT TO POINT, POWERED BY VSECU, GEARS UP AS WEATHER WARMS UP

Annual event offers participants new ways to raise funds for hungry Vermonters

Montpelier, VT – With summer just around the corner, Vermonters are gearing up to mix their passions for physical fitness and philanthropy at the 2018 Point to Point, powered by VSECU.

The cycling and running event was created in 2002 to raise funds and awareness for the Vermont Foodbank’s mission to end the growing problem of hunger in Vermont. One in four Vermonters are not sure where their next meal is coming from and, according to the Vermont Foodbank, the majority of those people are Vermont’s most vulnerable residents: children and seniors.

VSECU is adopting the leadership role of the Point to Point, previously held by the event’s founder Harpoon, because one of the credit union’s goals is helping to meet the essential needs of Vermonters; when these are met it empowers people to become greater participants in their communities.

Scheduled for August 11, 2018, the Point to Point, powered by VSECU, will give riders the chance to tackle the same beautiful 100-, 50-, or 25-mile road rides, or the 20-mile mountain bike ride participants have come to love. In addition, there’s a new 10-mile mountain bike ride, and a half marathon trail run for those who prefer to move on their feet rather than on wheels. The start and finish will be located at Ascutney Trails at the base of Ascutney Mountain in Brownsville.

This year’s event will also feature the P2P Festival with games, bicycle demos and repair workshops, a Family Fun Zone, post-ride food trucks, live music from the Adam Ezra Group, and plenty of beer from Harpoon Brewery.

“With new activities come new opportunities for people to be a part of this exciting event,” said VSECU CEO Rob Miller. “Fighting hunger in Vermont is an all-hands-on-deck effort, and we’re very grateful to all of the sponsors, participants, and volunteers who are working and fundraising tirelessly to help our neighbors get the nourishment they too often go without.”

Participants are encouraged to register now in order to take advantage of early bird prices, and volunteers are needed to help with every aspect of the event – from signing people up to cheering them on.

“Every year we are humbled by the number of people who turn out for the Point to Point,” said Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. “It’s truly special to see this event grow, and the many ways people come together to help us achieve our mission to end hunger in Vermont.”

The Point to Point has raised awareness and more than $1.5 million over 16 years for the Vermont Foodbank’s mission to fight hunger. The 2018 Point to Point, powered by VSECU, is presented thanks to the support of the event’s sponsors: Ascutney Outdoors, Ascutney Trails, Bicycle Express, Cabot, Catamount Solar, Cowbell Mobile Bike Shop, Fiserv, Front Porch Forum, Green Mountain Bike Patrol, Hanover Co-op Food Stores, Harpoon, Kinney Pike, Local Motion, Minuteman Press, Old Spokes Home, Onion River Outdoors, Paradise Sports, Skinny Pancake, Sport Trails of the Ascutney Basin, The Point, TomTom, Vermont Foodbank, Vermont Sports, WCAX, and White River Toyota.

Visit www.thepointtopoint.org for more information, registration and volunteer sign-up. All funds donated to the Point to Point are given directly to the Vermont Foodbank.

About VSECU

VSECU is a member-owned cooperative and not for profit credit union for everybody who lives or works in Vermont, offering a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member-owners. VSECU is committed to improving the lives of Vermonters by empowering the possibilities for greater social, environmental, and financial prosperity. For more information about VSECU, call 802/800 371-5162 or visit www.vsecu.com.