Photo credit: Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative
Often, veterans lack transportation to get to the grocery store, the doctor’s office and to other necessary appointments. For the past several years, through a collaboration with Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office, Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI) provides veterans with free donated bicycles, locks and helmets. The program is called Bikes for Stripes. Launched in 2008 by Milwaukee Veterans for Peace members Mark Foreman and Dennis Johnson, MHVI has assisted more than 2,000 veterans and their families through its programs that offer emergency food, wellness assessment and home support.
Off the Cuff interviewed Debbie Buchanan, executive director of MHVI, about the Bikes for Stripes program and its impact on veterans in the community.
How did the Bikes for Stripes program come about?
A lack of transportation is a huge barrier to many veterans. We decided to go with bikes—besides being an environmentally friendly form of transportation, bikes promote a healthy lifestyle and are very economical—you don’t need insurance to ride one, for example. We received a $1,000 grant from Pilot International, an organization that promotes brain health and fitness. We used $500 of the grant for locks and bike repair, and the remaining $500 for bus tickets and gas cards for veterans.
Has the demand for bikes remained steady over the past few years?
The demand has tremendously increased over the last two years, ever since we moved from our Fond Du Lac Ave. location to our National Ave. location in West Allis. There is a large community of veterans over here—we are right up the street from the Veterans Administration hospital and near other veterans’ services offices. Last year, we gave out 64 bikes, including children’s bikes, to veterans and their families. At this time, we are especially in need of women’s bikes.
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When do you give bikes out to veterans?
Generally, we start giving out bikes in April, and we will continue to give out bikes until there is too much snow on the ground to ride them. We serve veterans all over Wisconsin and deliver bikes, furniture, toiletries and other items throughout the entire state, including as far north as Rhinelander.
How can people donate to Bikes for Stripes?
Because we have to do bike safety checks and have a limited amount of space in our facilities, we will start accepting donations in March or April. Those interested in donating can call 414-257-4111 and speak to Liz Gagnon, our emergency services coordinator. They can either drop their bike off at our MHVI location or our MCVSO location, at 6419 W. Greenfield Ave., from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays. We can also pick up your bike from your home or another location.
For more information about the Bikes for Stripes program, visit mkehomelessvets.org.
