SEQUIM — The eighth annual Cranksgiving, a bike-powered benefit for the Sequim Food Bank, will be at 8:45 a.m. Saturday.
Sequim’s Cranksgiving organizers last year added a team competition to the individual awards. Teams start at 9 a.m. and individuals at 9:15 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 and knapsack — along with money to purchase food that will be donated to the food bank.
Participants compete for various prizes, from fastest collector to most food collected, youngest and oldest rider, top food-gathering team and more.
Cranksgiving organizers provide a list of requested non-perishable food items and a course that traditionally spans 4.4 miles from QFC to Walmart and back.
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).
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.
The event also includes an “after-party” at Rainshadow Coffee, 157 W. Cedar St., for awards and a raffle. The team gathering the most food by weight wins.
While this is the eighth event in Sequim, Cranksgiving is based on a nationwide event. To date, about 60 cities nationwide have announced their participation.
Despite fewer riders than 2016, Sequim’s 2017 Cranksgiving event nearly doubled the weight of food raised the previous year, with more than a ton (2,347 pounds) coming in along with $338 — all going to the Sequim Food Bank.
For more information, contact Tom Coonelly at 360-681-7053 or Coonelly@olypen.com.
