This Saturday, cyclists gear up for another Cranksgiving to gather food and funds for the Sequim Food Bank.

Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome to bike, walk, hope drive, or skate to the 14th year of the Sequim event with check-in at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the food bank, 144 W. Alder St.

The ride begins at 9 a.m. and ends around 10 a.m. Riders are encouraged to bring wheels, a helmet, something to carry food, and $25 to purchase food. Cash donations also accepted at the food bank.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout this year. The more riders we have, the more food we can gather,” said co-organizer Tom Coonelly.

Individuals and teams will gather food from local markets in a fun event similar to a scavenger hunt on wheels.

Riders will go to QFC to Walmart and then back to the food bank.

Traditional “Trophy Cans” will be awarded in various categories — Most Food Gathered, Oldest Rider, etc. with an after party following the event with a raffle for free swag from local merchants and national bicycle brands. All participants receive a Cranksgiving “Spoke card” containing an entry number for the raffle and a souvenir backpack.

Sequim’s Cranksgiving started in 2010 with about 30 riders who collected about 300 pounds of food.

Last year, 43 cyclists collected 1,700 pounds food and $3,400 in monetary donations for the food bank.

So far, the event has brought in more than 10 tons of food and $23,500.

Coonelly said food banks continue to see a rise in need due to lingering effects of Covid-19, food prices and other factors.

Organizers introduced in 2017 five person teams competing against one another to bring in the most food, which Coonelly said had significantly increased the amount gathered.

In 2020, riders shifted their format due to Covid to raise monetary donations and received almost $9,000 for the food bank as they were not accepting food donations at the time due to social distancing concerns.

This year is also the 25th Anniversary of Cranksgiving starting in New York City. Now more than 100 cities hold events to bring food in to local agencies to help communities.

Coonelly said Sequim is one of the smallest cities in the nation to host an event.

For more information about Sequim’s Cranksgiving, contact Tom Coonelly at coonelly@olypen.com or call 360-681-7053.

For more information about the national Cranksgiving, visit cranksgiving.org.

For more about Sequim Food Bank, visit sequimfoodbank.org. It’s open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays and Saturdays at 144. W. Alder St.