CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Cyclists across Charlotte pedaled for a good cause this weekend.

Cranksgiving in Charlotte was a little bit different this year due to COVID-19. Instead of riding all together as a big group, people were encouraged to ride on their own or with a few others. Milton Irizarry Jr. led a group ride Saturday and Sunday.

“We just thought, we as a group, could do this community effort together and have people in the bike community join us if they wanted to," Irizarry Jr. says.

Cyclist Jason Haw decided to join. He didn’t know others in the group prior to this weekend.

“Charlotte Cycles sent out an email and I looked on Facebook and saw the event,” Haw says. “I think it’s a good way to help out the community in these times.”

The group stopped at one grocery story both days to purchase canned goods. The items will be donated to the nonprofit Loaves and Fishes.

“They gave us a list,” Irizarry says. “They’re looking for pasta, canned vegetables, fruit, some breakfast cereals with low sugar.”

The group loaded up their bags, which made the second part of their journey a little heavier. In total, they rode about 12 miles each day. The items were then taken to Charlotte Cycles. The owner says that even though there was no big gathering, they still got a lot of donations.

“It exceeded expectations as far as how many people came out,” Charlotte Cycles owner Brain Doolittle says. “We have had the same, if not more, food donated this year than in previous years.”

Irizarry says he probably would be out cycling anyway this weekend, so why not do it for a good cause.

“I think it’s a great way to get outside and also for cyclists to get involved in the community in a relatively easy way,” Irizarry says.

Organizers say between all the cyclists this weekend, they had about 1,000 lbs of food donated.