SANTA FE, N.M. (BRAIN) — The annual bicycle-inspired food drive Cranksgiving will be in full swing this weekend with 43 events scheduled across the U.S.
About 80 events are scheduled as of Wednesday, said Bill Lane, marketing director of distributor BTI, the national organizer of the series, with more being announced each day. Cranksgiving started this year on Oct. 2 in Ottawa.
Food shortages affect one in nine households each holiday season, according to the Cranksgiving organization. All proceeds go to support local food banks and shelters.
Bicycle messenger Antonio Rodrigues created Cranksgiving in 1991 as a pure street race, with grocery stores serving as checkpoints. It has evolved with local organizers teaming with area charities to form a list of food needs. Routes to local grocery stores are mapped out for cyclists to follow and purchase food with their own money.
Lane said the number of events is down a little compared with pre-pandemic, but several first-time cities have joined this year.
"We were excited to see Downtown L.A. come back after a pandemic pause and to welcome additional locations in New York (Nassau and Queens)," Lane said. "The OG Cranksgiving NYC celebrates 24 years this coming weekend and will be departing from Hudson Yards Park."
Iowa, Pennsylvania, and New York have the most events this year, all with six, Lane said.
"Here in Santa Fe, we were visited by the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and actually put them to work as a pace car," Lane said of the event that took place Nov. 12.
To host a Cranksgiving event, see the "how to" page on the Cranksgiving website.
Cranksgiving from Sara Kinney on Vimeo.
