Mark Strauss, a 73-year-old cyclist from California, rode 3,200 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic this spring to raise $1 million for No Kid Hungry, and with $720,000 raised so far, he's asking supporters to help him close the final $280,000 before the year is out.
Why No Kid Hungry
“Unacceptable” was the word that Mark used when describing the fact that today 14 million kids in the United States are living with hunger. “In a country that is as agriculturally rich, as economically prosperous and has as much opportunity as the United States, that's something I found to be an unbelievable disconnect.”
He decided to do something about it, combining his passion for biking and his desire to make an impact. He started knocking on organization doors working in the food space to discuss a cross country food focused ride. One of his calls was with the SoCal No Kid Hungry team which led to a LA breakfast where Debbie Shore was promoting Chef Cycle. Mark rode the Bend event in 2025. The team, the participants and the mission resonated with and inspired him. His commitment to ride cross country for the benefit of No Kid Hungry’s cause was cemented.
“I said, okay, ‘This is the organization I'm going to figure out how to help,’" shared Mark. It came down to something simpler than any statistic. "Food is fundamental," he said. "If we build on top of that foundation we can build a stronger society where every child has an opportunity to reach their potential."
3,200 Miles of Mountains, Roads and Generosity
“Since returning home, there is one question I've been asked more than any other. ‘What was your favorite part?’” Mark explains in his blog. He went on to say that it was hard to find a singular moment in his 69-day bike ride across the country. The change of scenery, the mountains, the rivers, the interactions with locals, they were all part of a beautiful adventure that revealed a generous America we often don’t see on TV or in the news.
He remembers a particular moment in a construction zone in Ohio.
Earth movers and graders blocked the only way through, and Mark and his team had nowhere to go. A construction worker walked over to help. Then another worker. Then the foreman. A few minutes later, the whole crew stopped working. They moved the machines to the side of the road and escorted Mark's bike through the site themselves, so he didn’t lose the better part of a day to a 20-mile detour.
"There was no immediate benefit for them to do that," Mark said. "But when they understood the cause we were doing it for, they made the exception."
It's a small moment. It's also, in a way, the whole story: a stranger sees a reason to help, and helps. On his route, Mark met dozens of people who were willing to help. Whether it was a donation, a handshake, food or words of encouragement, people – independent of political affiliation, ideology and class – wanted to help kids across the nation.
You Can Be Part of This Adventure Today
Along the way, he had visited No Kid Hungry community partners – people who, with support from No Kid Hungry, are working day to day to ensure kids receive essential meals. He visited food banks and school districts and got to see firsthand how the dollars he raised are crucial for kids in communities all over the country. He saw the reality of hunger in America.
(Mark visiting community partners in Maryland)
“After sixty-nine days on the road, there wasn't a route to review or a weather forecast to study. There was no bicycle to prepare. No support vehicle waiting outside. No mileage goal for the day.
While my ride had ended, the need that inspired it had not,” he added in his blog. “Tomorrow morning, children across America would still wake up hungry. Parents would still struggle to put food on the table. Teachers would quietly make sure students had something to eat before trying to learn. Food banks would open their doors. School nutrition directors would continue looking for ways to reach more children.”
The work continues. And you still have the opportunity to ensure Mark reaches his $1 million goal. This will help No Kid Hungry implement school and summer meal programs, protect important programs that feed kids and ensure no kid goes hungry today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Learn more about Mark’s ride and how you can help here.
