Cyclists Cruise For A Cause At Columbia's Cranksgiving Event

COLUMBIA, MD — Cyclists of all ages and abilities are invited to pedal their way through Howard County while helping local families in need during the free Cranksgiving event on Nov. 7 in downtown Columbia.

The community cycling event combines biking with a holiday food drive benefiting Grassroots Crisis Intervention. Participants are encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable food to help individuals and families in need ahead of Thanksgiving.

Cyclists can make their own way through downtown Columbia or participate in a guided group ride led by the Howard County Police Department's Community Outreach and Pathways Section. The group ride will depart from The Other Barn in Oakland Mills at 10 a.m.

Suggested cycling routes also will be available from Columbia's villages and other locations throughout Howard County.

Participants can bike from their homes Nov. 7, picking up requested food items along the way from the grocery store of their choice. Drop off will be at the Plaza at the Mall in Columbia near Seasons 52 in downtown Columbia from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Organizers are adding a little friendly competition to the event this year by challenging Columbia's villages and other interested communities to see who can collect the most food donations. Each participating village will have a designated drop-off table, and the village collecting the most food will be announced at the end of the event.

Only donations delivered by bicycle will count toward the competition. Food brought by car or another vehicle will not be included in a village's total.

The first 100 people to register for the event will receive a commemorative Cranksgiving event shirt. Participants must register by noon Oct. 31 to qualify.

All donated food will benefit Grassroots Crisis Intervention.

Some of the most needed items include:

• Canned proteins, including tuna, chicken and beans
• Canned vegetables, fruit, soups and chili
• Pasta, rice and cereal
• Peanut butter
• Macaroni and cheese
• Shelf-stable milk
• Healthy snacks, including granola bars and fruit cups