2017 Cranksgiving
What: Food-raiser for Sequim Food Bank
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18
Where: Starts at Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St.
Contact: Tom Coonelly at 360-681-7053 or Coonelly@olypen.com.
Cranksgiving, the fall, family-friendly, bike-powered benefit for the Sequim Food Bank, is gearing up for another big event in mid-November.
This time around, organizers are looking for some bonding between participants.
Sequim’s 2017 Cranskgiving officials have added a team competition to compliment individual awards as they invite community members to once again join the annual food-raiser, this year set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18.
Teams start at 9 a.m. and individuals at 9:30 a.m. at the Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St.
Participants of all ages are invited to bring their bike and gear — including helmet, lock, knapsack, etc. — along with $15-$20 to purchase food that will be donated to the food bank.
Cranksgiving organizers provide a list of food asked for and a course that spans 4.4 miles from QFC to Walmart and back.
Similar to a “scavenger hunt” on wheels, participants compete for various prizes, from fastest collector to most food collected, youngest and oldest rider, top food-gathering team and more.
During the event, participants purchase food items from the shopping list at specified stores around town and when done bring the food to the start point (the food bank). In doing this, they must visit at least four stores and purchase at least one item at each store. Family participants with small children must visit at least one store.
This year’s addition of a team award includes a rotating award for the top five-person squad. Each team must gather items at four specified markets and return to the food bank in one hour.
The event also includes an “after-party” at Rainshadow Coffee for awards and a raffle. The team gathering the most food (by weight) wins.
While this is the seventh event in Sequim, Cranksgiving is based on a nationwide event. To date, about 60 cities nationwide have announced their participation and more will join during the next several weeks. Locally Sequim, Port Townsend, Seattle and Tacoma are hosting an event, co-organizer Tom Coonelly said.
Last year’s event raised more than 1,100 pounds for the Sequim Food Bank and 300 pounds alone from a single rider (Ken Stringer).
For more information, contact Coonelly at 360-681-7053 or email at Coonelly@olypen.com.
