Cranksgiving, A Food Drive on Two Wheels, Set for Saturday, Nov. 12

The Howard County Office of Transportation and the Downtown Columbia Partnership are joining together to present Cranksgiving 2022, a local food drive and family biking event, on Nov. 12, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at Azlon Plaza, 6100 Merriweather Drive. Cranksgiving is a national initiative dubbed “a food drive on two wheels.”

The event is designed to provide active recreation for local residents, raise awareness about the county’s bikable pathway system and generate food items for individuals and families served by Grassroots, Howard County’s 24-hour crisis intervention center and shelter for people who are homeless. There is no cost to participate other than the groceries you choose to donate.

The first 200 registered participants will receive an event t-shirt. Registration information, can be found at gohoward.org/cranksgiving/

Registered participants will bicycle from their homes to the Cranksgiving 2022 drop off site at Azlon Plaza in the Merriweather District of Downtown Columbia, picking up food items along that way at nearby grocery stores. A variety of route options will be provided for bicyclists.

The Office of Transportation, within the Howard County Department of County Administration, oversees transportation planning efforts related to bicycle and pedestrian facilities, public transportation services, comprehensive regional planning, and Transportation Demand Management. It also oversees Complete Streets policy implementation, e-scooter permitting, and the Howard County Bikeshare program.

The Downtown Columbia Partnership was established to market and promote Downtown Columbia and its businesses, implement beautification projects, sponsor cultural arts programs, support transportation and safety initiatives and other activities that enhance the live, work, play environment envisioned for Downtown Columbia in the Downtown Columbia Plan, unanimously adopted by the Howard County Council in 2010.