Our Response to COVID-19
What Happens When Everything Stops?
What does a nonprofit organization that normally works with over 50,000 students a year across the region do when schools are suddenly closed and our face to face programming is temporarily suspended? We take a step back, evaluate our resources and core competencies and find ways to repurpose our staff and assets where they are needed as our community works to take care of the needs of our fellow residents.
Nine13sports uses a mobile programming model whereby we take bicycles into learning environments (schools, community centers, parks) and use them as learning tools throughout the year. As we’ve grown, this mobile delivery of our Kids Riding Bikes, Kids Building Bikes & ExploreIndy Ride programming has required significant investment over the past 9 years into vehicles and staff – assets that we sidelined as part of efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus beginning a few weeks ago. Last year, we also made a move into a 25,000 sf commercial structure located in the Near Northwest neighborhoods that serves as our Operations Depot.
Because we’ve been so fortunate to receive support from the Indianapolis community over the years, it isn’t an option for us to sit around and wait for the time when we can begin working with the central Indiana youth again. Instead, we’ve reached out to our partners looking for ways we could help with the phenomenal efforts that are currently underway to take care of the our most vulnerable neighbors across the region. Our offer of assistance was well received by entities like Gleaners Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, the City of Indianapolis and the American Red Cross.
As a result, beginning this week our team has started to provide logistical support for initiatives led by these organizations to ensure efficient food distribution to food pantries and shut ins as well as ensuring that blood being donated at locations all across the state of Indiana reaches destinations where it is needed.
Bulk Food Transport
American Red Cross
Family Meal Box
Second Helpings
Response Updates
We Joined FOX59 to Talk Bikes, COVID, and Community
We joined FOX59 to talk bikes, food, and the greater impact of our efforts in 2020…
“Now Hear This with Chris Spangle” Talks Bike Programming, a Return to Normalcy that Includes Food Initiatives, and How You Can Help.
Our CEO Tom Hanley joined Chris Spangle to talk about our programming, how it all works together, and how it prepared us to pivot in the face of COVID-19. About the Show Now Hear This is a conversation with leaders in Indianapolis that are working to improve the lives...
Nine13sports Featured in Indianapolis Business Journal
A Feature on Nine13sports from WFYI
A story from our friends at WFYI
A Partnership Highlight from Genesys on Nine13sports & Gleaners Food Bank
Collaborating for stronger communities…
We Joined Indy Style to Talk Bikes & Food Here in Indy
Indy Style helped us share the story of bikes and food delivery here in Indy…