MINNEAPOLIS — Food banks in more than 100 North American communities will be front and center when Canadian Pacific’s tenth annual Holiday Train gets underway. A brightly decorated CP train will collect food and money for local food banks, raise awareness in the fight against hunger and, help communities across CP’s newly expanded network celebrate the holiday season.
“The Holiday Train is North America’s largest rolling fundraiser and a cherished tradition for our employees and the communities where we operate,” said CP President and CEO Fred Green. “We’re especially pleased to welcome employees and communities throughout our newly acquired DM&E territory, helping us feed the celebration.”
Bringing holiday cheer and an important message supporting food banks are Juno award-winning singer songwriter Melanie Doane and blues rocker Shaun Verreault, of Wide Mouth Mason fame. Their live 30 minute performances are free at each event. In return, non-perishable food items or a cash donation in support of the local food charity are requested.
“I’m excited to headline the Holiday Train and bring awareness to food bank programs across the United States,” said singer songwriter Melanie Doane. “I encourage everyone to bring donations to our Holiday Train stops and help feed the celebration in your community.”
Over 40 American cities, towns and villages will experience the Holiday Train spirit, starting in Scranton, PA on November 28 and concluding in Carpio, ND on December 17. For the first time this year, the Holiday Train will visit communities in Iowa and additional communities in Minnesota and Illinois in CP’s newly acquired DM&E and IC&E territories.
The CP Holiday Train achieves a milestone this year, celebrating a decade-long message of hope and community support. Since 1999, the Holiday Train program has helped to raise more than $3.5 million and 1.8 million pounds of food.
“The Holiday Train event has become our largest fundraiser,” said Michelle Rageth, Director of the Friends in Need Food Shelf in Cottage Grove, MN. “We serve over 15,000 people each year and we would not be able to do that without the amazing support of Canadian Pacific and our wonderful community. The Holiday Train brings together local businesses, schools, churches, local government, and the general public in a mutual celebration. We are so very grateful to all who come out and support the Train and Friends in Need.”
At each event, Canadian Pacific provides the train, a box car stage, musical entertainment and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. Every donation collected in a community remains in that community for local distribution.
— PRNewswire-FirstCall
