Kansas City, Missouri, November 18, 2017
For the fifteenth year in a row, bicyclists in Kansas City will take part in a charity food drive event, riding their bikes throughout the area purchasing needed groceries for the St. Peter's Social Services Food Pantry.. Cranksgiving, started in New York City by bike messenger “alleycats” in 1999 and has grown to over 80 independently organized events across the globe. There are no requirements other than to “get food” and “do it on a bike”-cranksgiving.org"
The first Cranksgiving in Kansas City was started by local photographer and cyclist Michael Forrester, with Grant Redwine and Jason Wingate. The race brought together riders from the various communities within Kansas City area cycling. The following year, the Greater Kansas City Bicycle Federation and 816 Bicycle Collective began organizing subsequent Cranksgivings. In recent years, St. Peter's Food Pantry was designated as the recipient for all the food collected and staff and volunteers from St. Peter's Catholic Parish have assumed organizing duties. While many Cranksgiving events are a traditional “alleycat” competition where speed is crucial, the Kansas City event has grown into a herculean effort, where according to organizer Sam Swearngin, “ in Kansas City,we celebrate the heaviest load”.LAST YEAR'S EVENT LED THE NATION, BRINGING IN JUST OVER 20,000LBS OF FOOD ITEMS! Peter's Staff member Dan Needham remarks that “because these riders want to compete for the heaviest, “I ask for the biggest, bulkiest items our Food Pantry needs, like sugar, flour, laundry soap, cooking oil and all types of canned goods, we'll collect crackers and cereal another time”. Riders start their ride at 12:30PM and return to St. Peter’s by 3:30. Methods of carrying groceries vary from messenger bags and backpacks to baskets, panniers and even cargo trailers. Once the riders return their “haul” is officially weighed in and they are rewarded with a “beer & chili feed” party in the gym with live music, that is open to the public as well.
