In Seattle, bicycling volunteers help rescue food—and the planet 

[3 min read]

  • The 10,000-member Cascade Bicyle Club is the nation's largest statewide bicycling nonprofit. 
  • The club promotes sustainability and is committed to community and collaboration. 
  • Providence Swedish is proud to support the Cascade Bicycle Club's food rescue and transport initiative, the Pedaling Relief Project, which has distributed more than 420,000 pounds of rescued food since its official launch in 2021. 
  • In 2024, Providence Swedish invested more than $497 million in communities across the Puget Sound Region. 

Providence Swedish is addressing sustainability and food insecurity through support of the Cascade Bicycle Club’s innovative Pedaling Relief Project, a food rescue and transport initiative. With some 10,000 members, the nation’s largest statewide bicycling nonprofit offers a host of programs, including group rides, bicycling lessons, community advocacy and more.  
  
Sustainability is among the club’s top priorities, whether in the form of reducing emissions by limiting the number of cars on the road, advocating for safer streets that support and encourage bicycling or addressing food insecurity in local communities.   
  
Launched in 2020, the Pedaling Relief Project is supported by groups of volunteers who ride to local grocery stores to rescue produce and food that would otherwise go to waste and then bike it to food banks. The food is sorted and repackaged, then delivered by bicycle to the homes of clients who are unable to travel to the food banks.   
  
Some volunteers do pickups once a week, while others make several regular pickups per week. During the first year and a half of the pandemic, program volunteers rescued and distributed 420,000 pounds of food. The club currently works with five local food banks and has also served some 18,000 people directly as part of its food insecurity relief efforts.   

By bicycling instead of driving, Pedaling Relief has prevented the emission of over 8.6 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The Pedaling Relief Project’s efforts are realizing our shared goal of safe and healthy communities—and a healthy planet—for all.  

Providence Swedish is committed to addressing identified health needs, promoting improved community health and increasing access to quality care across King County. Read our 2025-2027 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Providence’s 2024 Annual Report to Our Communities to learn more. 

Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)

Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. You can also connect virtually with your provider to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual, you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.

Information for patients and visitors

Additional resources

At El Centro De La Raza, an assist for youth mental health from Seattle Sounders FC

Five years after a multiple myeloma diagnosis, this Swedish patient is living her best life

The right place for the right treatment: emergency department, urgent care, or primary care?

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Providence Swedish experts in the media 

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X


 

About the Author

We don't seek to just be your care partner. We want to be your health partner. The Swedish Community Relations Team is focused on addressing big issues such as mental health and addiction, homelessness, diabetes and the general well-being of communities across Puget Sound.

More Content by Swedish Community Relations Team
Previous Article
Caregivers leave their mark on the future of care at Providence Swedish
Caregivers leave their mark on the future of care at Providence Swedish

Hundreds of caregivers turned out to celebrate the Providence Swedish milestone and put their signatures on...

Next Article
Providence Swedish invests in every community’s health and well-being
Providence Swedish invests in every community’s health and well-being

In 2024, Providence Swedish contributed $497 million in community benefit programs across the Puget Sound r...