Cyclists bring in half-a-ton of food at Cranksgiving

By Matthew Nash • December 3, 2024 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Cyclist John Dolansky, with help from his wife Nancy, not pictured, loads his bicycle up with macaroni and cheese at Sequim Safeway on Nov. 23 for Cranksgiving. He has participated in nearly every ride since 2010 that sees cyclists ride to local grocery stores, buy food and bring it back to the Sequim Food Bank.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Cyclist John Dolansky, with help from his wife Nancy, not pictured, loads his bicycle up with macaroni and cheese at Sequim Safeway on Nov. 23 for Cranksgiving. He has participated in nearly every ride since 2010 that sees cyclists ride to local grocery stores, buy food and bring it back to the Sequim Food Bank.

Cranksgiving, the annual benefit bike ride event through Sequim the Saturday before Thanksgiving, continued to bring in the dough and add to its tonnage for the Sequim Food Bank.

In its 14th year, co-organizer Tom Coonelly said 40 cyclists rode to Sequim grocery stores across the city on Nov. 23 and collected 988 pounds of food, and brought in $3,785 in cash donations.

The WOW (Women on Wheels) team carried 235 pounds of food to earn the top team prize.

Maureen Lineham, who rides with Women on Wheels, said she’s either cycled or volunteered the last three years of the event.

“This is such an important organization and such a fun way to support them,” she said.

Joe Cress, an avid bike rider, has helped all 14 years of Sequim’s Cranksgiving, and helped from the sidelines this year due to an injury.

“It’s a great opportunity to give to the community in a meaningful way,” he said.

“The Food Bank is a great service.”

He usually rides with fellow cyclists from the 3 Crabs Road area, he said, and with many of them out of the area this year, he hopes to ride with them again in 2025.

Cyclists as young as 7 rode with family and friends for the event, and food donation totals ranged from five pounds to 120 pounds, a prize won by rider Denny Bellow.

Sequim’s event dates back to 30 riders collecting about 300 pounds of food in 2010, and over the years it’s brought in nearly 11 tons of food and more than $27,000 in monetary donations.

This year also marked Cranksgiving’s 25th anniversary, which has grown to more than 100 cities holding events to support local agencies and groups. For more information, 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.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Tom Coonelly, co-organizer of Sequim’s Cranksgiving, speaks to participants in the annual bike ride benefit for Sequim Food Bank on Nov. 23. This year’s event had 40 cyclists participate.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Tom Coonelly, co-organizer of Sequim’s Cranksgiving, speaks to participants in the annual bike ride benefit for Sequim Food Bank on Nov. 23. This year’s event had 40 cyclists participate.

Photo courtesy Tom Coonelly/ Lelani Sundt continued her streak of participating in all 14 Cranksgiving rides on Nov. 23. Despite having a hip replacement, she was able to ride on with the Sequim Wheelers.

Photo courtesy Tom Coonelly/ Lelani Sundt continued her streak of participating in all 14 Cranksgiving rides on Nov. 23. Despite having a hip replacement, she was able to ride on with the Sequim Wheelers.