Susan Kelly, Nederland. Rain or shine, wind or snow, flood or fire, pandemic or no pandemic, every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., the Nederland Food Pantry (NFP) volunteers distribute donated food to residents throughout the Peak to Peak region. Since Covid-19 seized the community in March, food pantry patrons wear masks, stay in their cars, and wait for a friendly volunteer to load a box of food in the trunk. Saturday, October 10, was no different---except for one thing—the anticipated arrival of the Sober Souls Motorcycle Club and a truckload of toiletries and supplies for the food pantry.

At precisely 12:20 p.m., a band of motorcyclists rounded the corner into the upper parking lot of the Community Center, led by “Uncle” Ron, the long-time member of Sober Souls Chapter 381 and addiction counselor at Jefferson Center in the Denver area. Sober Souls MC has been around for over twenty-eight years helping individuals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. Members of Sober Souls are required to maintain sobriety—hence their slogan “breaking the chain”. They also are committed to putting the welfare of the group above self-interest and helping others. Of course, their visit to the NFP included giving back to a community while having a little fun. What could be more fun than riding through a kaleidoscope of fall colors on the way to fulfil an act of kindness in Nederland?

Chris Current, executive director of the NFP, along with her crew of local volunteers greeted the distinguished guests with drinks and snacks. After unloading the truck filled with much appreciated toiletries, the Sober Souls were offered a private tour of the pantry and greenhouse along with local advice on things to do and see in the area. 

Covid-19 has brought unforeseen challenges to all of us. People find themselves out of a job, out of money, isolated from family and friends, and worried about the future of the economy and our country. However, interspersed in all the doom and gloom, there are always opportunities to give, move forward, and “break the chain”.  Thank you, Sober Souls. 

(Originally published in the October 15, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)