A high-gear gift: KLKN drive helps Lincoln Bike Kitchen land anonymous $10,000 donation

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln Bike Kitchen aims to empower Lincoln by making sure people can get around.

It fixes up bikes and provides them, plus locks and helmets, to any kids or adults who need them.

This year, it’s getting a big boost from one generous giver, who is donating $10,000.

The donor requested to stay anonymous but came to the KLKN bike drive to inform Executive Director Shari Shanks of his generous plans.

“We’ve been fortunate enough, thanks to donors like this, to upgrade our helmets this year,” she said. “And instead of lower-grade helmets, we’re using the same grade as Bryan hospital.”

Shanks said the bike kitchen usually budgets $10,000 for helmets but will plan to increase that next year to keep standards high.

With 750 bikes collected so far this year, the nonprofit is already 40% ahead of where it was last year.

The organization also provides free bike repairs.

Anyone in need of a bike or who wants to volunteer can learn how on the bike kitchen’s website.