Cyclists gather at the Santa Fe Railroad for last year’s Cranksgiving. Courtesy photo
CRANKSGIVING NEWS RELEASE
A fun, community-building Thanksgiving tradition returns for its 15th edition in Santa Fe. On Nov. 11 approximately 175 bicycle riders of all ability levels will participate in Cranksgiving, the annual ride that is part scavenger hunt, part race, and all benefit for the Food Depot. This ride is being sponsored by local businesses including BTI, BayWa r.e. Solar Systems, Barker Realty, Back Road Pizza, Albertsons, Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, Second Street Brewery, Nuckoll’s Brewing Co, and the Railyard Corporation. This year’s afterparty will take place on the Nuckoll’s Brewery patio.
Cranksgiving is a national event happening in nearly 100 cities across the country, Canada and the UK. Here in Santa Fe, cyclists will navigate the city using their choice of roads, bike paths, and trails. Their mission is to visit area grocery stores and return with donations for the Food Depot, including specific ingredients to make a “traditional” Thanksgiving dinner. Awards are given for Fastest Rider, Fastest Team, Most Food Collected, and more. Additional challenges await at local bike shops, who often issue challenges and award time bonuses for accomplishing special tasks.
The Food Depot, the beneficiary of those grocery donations brought in by the riders, is northern New Mexico’s food bank, and has built a network of partnerships to provide as aid to food-insecure people across northern NM. Their innovative programs include Mobile Food Pantries, Food 4 Kids (school-based pantries), Casa de Comida (a no-cost grocery store model food pantry that allows patrons more choice about what they receive) and more. The Food Depot distributes more than 700,000 meals per month, and cyclists participating in the Cranksgiving event can help them make those numbers during the holiday. Last year’s event resulted in 6.5 tons of food (including donated turkeys). That 6.5 tons of food equals roughly 10,820 meals for the hungry!
To participate, join the large group of riders at the Railyard on November 11th with your bike. Bring a bag (or two), a lock, and money to buy food (you can get the whole list done for around $15-$20, though many riders elect to buy more and compete for the Most Food Collected prize). Teams are encouraged, as are costumes, so bring a friend and come have some fun!
To sign up, visit: www.cranksgivingsantafe.com. Can’t make it to the event? Consider donating $20 via the site to put a turkey on the table of a hungry family this holiday season.