Cranksgiving, the popular annual food-raiser on wheels benefiting the Sequim Food Bank, is back for its 13th year.
The Sequim version of a national effort to help feed community residents in need kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the food bank at 144 W. Alder St.
An event touted as a fun and safe event for the whole family and as a kind of scavenger hunt on wheels, Cranksgiving invites participants to ride bikes to local stores such as Walmart and QFC, purchase items for the Sequim Food Bank and bring them back. There are a number of prizes distributed each year, including Most Food Gathered, Oldest Rider, etc.
There will also be a raffle for participants featuring donations from local merchants, held at an after-party. (The event ends at 11 a.m.)
Participants are asked to bring their bike, a helmet and at least $20 for food purchases. However, they can also walk, hop, skip, drive, skate or use another mode of transportation to take part. Those unable to ride can contribute money to the food bank. All participants will receive a unique Cranksgiving “Spoke card,” a souvenir cup and an entry number for the raffle.
In 2022, 60 cyclists gathered and donated 1.5 tons of food and $2,830 in cash for the Sequim Food Bank.
To date, the Sequim Cranksgiving events have raised 9.7 tons of food and about $20,000 in cash.
Sequim’s event is one of the smallest of more than 100 cities in the country hosting a similar Cranksgiving event (see cranksgiving.org). Cranksgiving started as one of several annual bike messenger “alley cat” races in New York City. Each year it is held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving as a way for cyclists to socialize, compete, and enjoy themselves while gathering food for local soup kitchens or food banks in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
For more information, contact organizer Tom Coonelly at 360-681-7053 or coonelly@olypen.com.
Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / A record 66 riders turn out for the 2022 Cranksgiving event to benefit the Sequim Food Bank. This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 18.
Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell Doug Kruth helps his 3 Crabs team bring in the most of any teams in Sequim’s 2022 Cranksgiving event. This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 18.
