SWFL restaurant, charity donate bikes to foster children

The Southwest Florida community is showing that we are all #GulfshoreStrong. A company that’s already fed first responders is now feeding foster children. And that’s not all.

Restaurant FK Your Diet in Lee County plan to give local foster children a big, surprise gift that will allow them to be more active during the coronavirus pandemic, as more than 30 children receive new bicycles.

“Tonight is really special because we went back to our core value tonight,” said Amy Eldrige, the owner of FK Your Diet.

FK Your Diet was giving away 300 meals to people who needed them Thursday, and it teamed up with the Rebel Riders charity to bless the families even more.

“Doug called me last night and said, ‘Have you given away those bikes yet’” said Thomas MacKenna, the founder of the Rebel Riders charity. “I said,’ No.’ He said, ‘Want to give them away tomorrow? So in less than 24 hours, we made the arrangements to be here and give these bikes away.”

This act of kindness means so much to the children and their foster parents.

“What an excellent thing for the community to come out and support foster care and kids and especially in this time of need where there are no bikes in any stores to get the kids so to be able to do this is such a blessing,” said Rebecca Hoskins, a foster mother.

The owners of FK Your Diet said their goal was to give away 3,000 meals since they started their donations, and they’re now up to 4,000.

And the day also saw kids ride away with a smile on their new bike.

“To me, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a time when they’ve been cooped up in the house or a time when they have been out and about,” MacKenna said. “Any time you can light up a kid’s face with a smile, it’s an accomplishment.”