The Spoke Folk Cycling Club is sponsoring Sequim’s fourth annual Cranksgiving. With hopes of reaching its goal of 1,000 pounds of food, the group is inviting the community to participate in what has become a national event where cyclists gather food for their local food banks at more than 50 cities nationwide.
The theme of Cranksgiving resembles a Campbell’s soup can, denoting the core of the event as a food drive. However, stepping outside the lines of tradition, Cranksgiving is a timed food drive and all food obtained is weighed, giving the event a competitive edge.
Organizer of Sequim’s Cranksgiving and member of the Spoke Folk Cycling Club, Tom Coonelly, said prizes are awarded for a variety of things, such as fastest time, most food by weight and both the oldest and youngest rider.
“The event has grown each year,” Coonelly said. “The goal for this year is 1,000 pounds and so we’ll probably need about 70 riders.”
On average a rider brings in about 15 pounds of food and last year 54 riders were able to donate 860 pounds in addition to $564.
Before launching out onto the streets, cyclists are given a list that has been provided by staff at the Sequim Food Bank with desired items. Most lists consist of everyday-type goods including rice, both brown and white, peanut butter, rolled oats, cereal, tuna and soup.
“Every food drive is helpful, but when we’re able to target specific and needed items it makes an even bigger difference,” Mark Ozias, Sequim Food Bank director, said.
On average, within the boundaries of the Sequim School District, the Sequim Food Bank circulates through 70,000 pounds of food per month, Ozias said. Reflecting on last year’s numbers, Ozias has noticed a 10-12 percent increase in need and about a 10 percent increase of new individuals.
Additionally, just shy of one-third of the food provided goes toward someone under 18 years old, which is another indicator to those in Ozias’s position of the real need within the community.
The overall annual jump that Sequim’s Food Bank is experiencing is consistent on a national scale and among other food banks, Ozias said. Although he does not know for sure, Ozias speculates the increased need partially stems from the fact that many people are having to work two or three part-time jobs and are still making less then they did before the economy took a fall.
“I think we’re still seeing the ongoing and lagging impacts of the economy,” Ozias said. “I often say it takes the whole community to make it (success of the food bank) happen and Cranksgiving is a neat example of that and a creative solution.”
Ozias looks at the event as a “win, win, win” because the cyclists get to collaborate and share their common passion for biking, the food bank and therefore the community gains and the local grocery stores receive the added business.
“It’s a cool thing to do and a chance to both ride your bike and do something really good for the community,” Coonelly said. “I tell people it’s a good shot of positive endorphins when you do something like this.”
Although Cranksgiving has been growing and gaining momentum throughout cities in the U.S. since 1999, Sequim began participating only four years ago after Coonelly saw the event online and thought it would be a fun thing to host locally. To his knowledge, Sequim is still one of the, if not the smallest, town to hold a Cranksgiving.
Following the scavenger hunt and food drive, which takes about an hour, cyclists will celebrate at Rainshadow Coffee Roasting Company, 157 W. Cedar St., for the awards ceremony and to warm up.
To participate in Cranksgiving cyclists are reminded to bring a backpack or bike bag, helmet, bike and bike lock.
Cranksgiving food drive and scavenger hunt
When: 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15.
Where: Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St.
Cost: No entry fee, but bring $15-20 to purchase food with.
More info: Visit peninsulatrailscoalition.org/?p=563.
