Over 120 cyclists will be visiting the Spam Museum Thursday, July 18 as a rest stop in route to Albert Lea, Minn. on the Habitat 500 bike ride—a 500 mile, seven day journey through southeastern Minnesota in support of Habitat for Humanity to raise funds and awareness for the need for safe, decent and affordable homes while bringing hope to individuals and helping build families, lives and communities across the United States.

This year’s ride hopes to raise over $330,000 in support of Habitat for Humanity.

From July 12-18, the 17th annual Habitat 500 will travel between 60 to 100 miles a day visiting six communities and celebrating the fourth-annual bike.home. and 1,700th Habitat home (located in Rushford, Minn).

“Our ultimate goal is to eliminate poverty, housing and homelessness from the face of the earth by building adequate and basic housing,” said Habitat for Humanity of MN director Jan Plimpton. “Our homes are built with the combined efforts of volunteers, businesses, churches and partner families.”

The Habitat 500 bike ride fundraiser benefits Habitat for Humanity, an internationally respected non-profit organization dedicated to building homes and creating home ownership opportunities for low-income families. Due to dedicated volunteers and donations, 96 percent of all funds go directly back into building sustainable and affordable homes. Over the past 17 years, Habitat 500 has raised over $3.5 million for Habitat construction in Minnesota, the United States and around the world.

This year the route starts and ends in Faribault with stops in Rochester, Rushford (two nights), Grand Meadow, Albert Lea and Lake Crystal. Volunteers and Habitat affiliates are the main support for the ride, including Rice County Habitat for Humanity, Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity, Winona County Habitat for Humanity, Freeborn/Mower Counties Habitat for Humanity and South Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity.

To make a donation in support of the Habitat 500, please visit www.Habitat500.org.