Bike Kitchen in City Heights

[Kathy Keehan]

I met with the Bike Kitchen in City Heights on Saturday - it went very
well!
They've got an active kitchen already going, with a bunch of bikes,
tools, and parts, along with about 25 active volunteers/participants.
They're doing classes/work on a 'call ahead and make sure someone is
here' basis, and they would like to expand.
It's a shoestring operation. They're using the back yard of a house
owned by a local social action group, and they've got some tarps set
up in the backyard for shade and protection, but it will be wet when
it rains. They've got probably 30 bikes, and quite a few parts and
tools.
They're doing outreach to various groups at events, and so far are
working on a donation basis and not charging for classes or co-op
time.
I talked to Jenny, who I think it the organizer of the whole thing.
She seemed very positive about having the Coalition be involved in the
Bike Kitchen. We talked about a lot of different ideas for how we
might be able to work together, everything from us providing some more
volunteer/instructor support to donations to help with bookkeeping/
business/bureaucracy type issues. For example, they don't have a bank
account for the Bike Kitchen yet, and would like to either become a
501(c)3 or work in partnership with the Coalition for donations, etc,
so the donors can take it off their taxes.
They also realize that pretty soon, if they expand much at all, they
will outgrow the space. We talked about maybe either seeding other
kitchens in the area, or put together trailers, etc, to take the show
on the road.
I think there is definitely an opportunity for partnership with them,
although we'll have to be careful. They're looking for help, not
someone to come in and take over, so there will definitely have to be
some give and take with how things are organized and arranged. I think
if we are willing to really partner with them and work within the
structure of what they are already doing, it could be very successful
for all of us.
What do you think?
Kathy

[David and Jen]

It defiantly sounds like something very positive. I would love to be involved and help. I am rapidly filling my garage with donations and as of this week am back in contact with McMillin (I have a friend that works for them and will try and get our proposal in the right hands). In any case it seems that the need for a place is still rather key. Are any of there programs for children? Did you mention an Earn A Bike program?

Thanks for the update, let me know what we can do to help
David

I think that next Saturday 09/22 that Jennifer and I will be having a minor party to show off our new house and more importantly our new baby. I will let everyone know the details tomorrow or Wednesday.

[Tom Lettington]

Kathy,

Is this the bunch that did the Edible San Diego bike tour I went
along on? It sure sounds like it. They are also affiliated with
"Food Not Bombs" and they are involved in a soup kitchen that
provides free food for anyone in need distributed at local parks.

I'm all for taking the next step with these people to get something
going. We could help a lot by providing some structure and
discipline. They are totally clueless when it comes to BikeEd. Their
group ride was very poorly run - even dangerous.

David - what say you?

- Tom