FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) - A local church is using Bikes, Blues & BBQ to help women in need.
Cross Church is one of the largest congregations in the region.
This week, some members who enjoy riding motorcycles are using their hobby as a way to minister, while supporting a non-profit.
They are called the F.A.I.T.H Riders.
"We take a hobby that we have, which is motorcycle riding, and we use it as a way to minister,” said Jeff Hairston, Director of the Northwest Arkansas F.A.I.T.H Riders. "Faith riders is the motorcycle ministry based out of Southern Baptist churches all across the country.”
The group is working the event with more than 70 volunteers, some who come from outside of Arkansas.
"It's just another way of reaching out to a group of people who want to be accepted for who they are" said Lydia Garza, a volunteer from Louisiana.
The group uses their booth as a way to minister others.
"You'll get a lot of people who will just say ‘thank you for doing this, this is so awesome’,” Hairston said.
While some are working the booth, other volunteers comb the event for empty beer bottles, and cans.
The empty containers are recycled, with the proceeds going to a women’s shelter.
"The money that's generated from that, we actually donate to a ministry up in a Little Flock called Restoration Village,” Hairston said. “It's a long-term solution for women in need that may need a place to live for a while."
Coleson Burns is the Bikes, Blues & BBQ Event Coordinator.
He exchanged a vendor booth for the F.A.I.T.H Rider's services.
"Bikers are all about causes,” Burns said. “It's important to try and reduce our footprint as much as possible, a the F.A.I.T.H Riders help us tremendously in that way.”
The group is a clear example as to why one man’s trash, is another man’s treasure.
"The faith riders are getting in the trenches and doing some of the dirtiest work in the rally,” Burns said.
But organizers say they will be back every year to do it again.
"This is just an opportunity to live out our faith," Hairston said.
The group raised more than $1,500 in recyclables in 2013.
They expect to collect nearly $2,000 this year.