Cushing Builds Cookie Cart for World Bike Relief

When Cushing Industrial Arts teacher Anne Matheson was approached to build a wooden cart that would help raise money for World Bicycle Relief, she was all in. But first, she wanted to learn more.

World Bicycle Relief notes that nearly one billion people in rural regions of the world live in communities far from the nearest paved road, and have to walk miles each day just to survive. “Distance is a barrier to attending school, receiving healthcare, delivering goods to market and other critical services needed to thrive,” says the organization. In response, WBR raises money to work with poverty-stricken communities to deliver Buffalo Bikes – specially designed, locally assembled, rugged bikes.

Buffalo Bicycles aren’t your typical bikes – they are strong, simple, sustainable bikes that can withstand harsh rural conditions. Puncture-resistant tires, the ability to carry heavy loads and travel long distances over rugged terrain, and high-quality parts and materials are just some of Buffalo Bike’s highlights. What’s more – WBR also trains residents to build, fix and maintain these bikes to keep them going. More than 3000 local women and men have been trained and given the tools and spare parts to be mechanics, in order to keep the Buffalo Bikes on the road – offering “life-changing mobility.” This is critical in places like Uganda, where nearly half of the population lives in poverty, and only 25% of children attend secondary school.

After learning about World Bike Relief’s mission, Matheson was excited to help and partnered with Steve Devaney – a local philanthropist who had the idea of raising awareness and funds for World Bike Relief. He came to Anne with an idea – if her woodshop team could build a large, mobile cookie cart, he could place it in busy locations, stock it with cookies for sale, and raise money for World Bike Relief.

Anne wasted no time – working with her Industrial Arts students at Cushing School to develop the cookie cart. “It was such a fun project,” stated Matheson. “My students rose to the task, as they always do – even on the tricky wheels of the cart.” The cart took about 5 weeks to build, and Devaney was very happy with the final product. Many cookie carts will be made by different organizations, and Cushing’s will be placed at various parishes and senior centers around the South Shore!