Trinity UMC in Salem, Ore., gave away 80 bikes, helmets and instruction on Juneteenth 2026. (Courtesy Photo)
Oregon-Idaho Conference | July 7, 2026
Big changes are underway at Salem's Trinity United Methodist Church.
The church building and property have been sold to the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (CAA). The church community and sanctuary will remain but the property is now known as Trinity Commons and the food bank that has been known as the Lord's Cupboard is now known as Feed The People.
One of the signs of change was evident on June 20, when some church members and CAA partnered with the Oregon Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) and the Reborn Bikes organization to host a bike giveaway as a way of celebrating Juneteenth. The Four Corners Elementary School that is adjacent to the church, the Cascades to Coast Central Labor Chapter, AFL-CIO, and Pastor Greg Bolt of Salem's First Presbyterian Church all helped make the event possible. At the center of the project were CBTU Oregon Chapter President Tina Turner Morfitt, the Reborn Bikes staff, and CAA Chief Program officer of Early Learning & Child Care and Trinity Church member Eva Pignotti. Bob Rossi also lent a hand as a CBTU and union member and Trinity member.
"We thought that giving away 80-plus bikes, helmets, and locks would take a few hours, but we were done in forty-five minutes," Rossi said. "People gathered early, a mix of people coming from Salem's refugee communities, folks who use and volunteer at the foodbank, and others."
A table holds bike helmets given away at the Trinity UMC event on Juneteenth, 2026. (Courtesy Photo)
Children received bikes, helmets, and locks and had the opportunity to learn basic bike skills and etiquette. Houseless sisters and brothers and foodbank volunteers also took some bikes and much-needed locks. Reborn Bike staff were kind and helpful and well-organized. CBTU members helped direct and manage the crowd, interacting with folks and making sure that everyone got help.
Everyone who showed up received a leaflet explaining the importance and history of Juneteenth. Many of the people attending asked about the church and the foodbank.
"The greatest joy of the event was in seeing children who had perhaps never ridden a bike speeding across the parking lot, carefree and happy," Rossi said. "It was also encouraging to see different communities, multiracial and multinational, interacting in a spirit of mutual respect and care."
The church is hoping to repeat its success in August. The ability to do that will depend on finding additional sponsors who can provide some funding and volunteers. Trinity UMC Salem recommends Reborn Bikes and CBTU as good church and community partners.