Seventh annual Cranksgiving a big success

Some 200 cyclists braved cold November temperatures to gather food items in the seventh annual Cranksgiving Boise scavenger hunt on Saturday, November 19^th.

The event, sponsored by VRT and City Go, rallies Boise bicyclists to put Thanksgiving food boxes together while they ride around Boise answering trivia questions, taking selfies, and having fun.

This year’s event set a record, as organizers were able to deliver 40 complete Thanksgiving food boxes to St. Vincent de Paul. These boxes will provide food for 160-240 people during the holidays.

VRT wants to thank the following businesses for participating in the event and providing food items required to fill the Thanksgiving food boxes:

Roots Zero Waste Market

Idaho River Sports

The Handlebar

George’s Cycles

Hyde Perk

White Dog Brewing

Additionally, ten-pound bags of potatoes were donated by Charlie’s Produce and handed out by Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation; the freezer trailer used to keep the turkeys frozen was paid for by B4Detail; and Clairvoyant Brewing hosted the after-party, where DJ Pyscache kicked out the tunes. This year’s Cranksgiving poster was designed by artist Mary Arnold, who has also done a mural on the side of the bike-share building in Garden City (106 E 34^th St.)

Cranksgiving is one small part of a much larger effort organized by St. Vincent de Paul to provide Thanksgiving dinners to families in need throughout the Treasure Valley. Last year, St. Vincent de Paul distributed nearly 2,400 food boxes, feeding an estimated 12,000 people.

The timed event offered trophies to the first three teams, the team bringing in the biggest turkey, and the best team costume.