{"id":369634,"date":"2026-08-12T19:24:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T19:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/369634\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T19:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T19:24:11","slug":"tampas-sacred-heart-catholic-church-rebuilds-bicycles-and-is-about-to-give-away-its-3000th-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/369634\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa\u2019s Sacred Heart Catholic Church rebuilds bicycles and is about to give away its 3,000th ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AMembers of Sacred Heart Catholic Church\u2019s \u2018Bikes from the Heart\u2019 ministry outside Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 21, 2025. Credit: c\/o Sacred Heart Catholic Church<\/a><\/p>\n

A church\u2019s highest function is often reflected in how much help it can offer the most vulnerable in its community. Downtown Tampa\u2019s 121-year-old Sacred Heart Catholic Church<\/a> has long understood that, and its \u201cBikes from the Heart\u201d ministry<\/a> is a good example of that ideal.<\/p>\n

Led by lay volunteers (as in non-ordained people), and in partnership with WellBuilt Bikes<\/a>, the program refurbishes donated used bicycles and parts into working machines that are given to community members struggling with access to reliable transportation.<\/p>\n

The operation has redistributed at least 1,000 bikes per year since its inception in 2023 and commemorates its 3,000th donated bicycle this weekend with a blessing of the bikes followed by a three-mile ride from the downtown sanctuary to Sacred Heart\u2019s campus in Tampa Heights.<\/p>\n

Chill Bros. ice cream will be distributed on campus where volunteers will also give tours of the \u201cBikes from the Heart\u201d workshop, which used to be the convent for Sacred Heart\u2019s since-shuttered school.<\/p>\n

A press release says, select refurbished bikes will also be on sale at the north campus, with all proceeds benefiting future Bikes from the Heart refurbishments and donations.<\/p>\n

Donations will be accepted at the \u201cBikes from the Heart\u201d blessing of the bikes and group ride happening Saturday, Aug. 15 and starting at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa.<\/a><\/p>\n

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This article appears in August 13 \u2013 19, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead his 2016 intro letter\u00a0and disclosures from 2022 and 2021.\u00a0Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief…\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore by Ray Roa\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n