CALGARY — North America’s longest-running food bank fundraiser begins its unique trek across Canada as well as the U.S. Midwest and Northeast this weekend in its cross-border mission to feed communities the railroad serves.
For the 12th year, two specially decorated freight trains will launch their unique journeys across six Canadian provinces and eight U.S. states: The U.S. Holiday Train on Friday, November 26th while the Canadian ‘train of lights’ will begin its cross-country trek on Saturday, November 27th, from Beaconsfield, Quebec.
“The Holiday Train’s mandate remains strong and that is to help tackle hunger, regardless of borders or size of community,” said Fred Green, President and CEO of Canadian Pacific. “At this critical time of year, CP employees and thousands of volunteers in Canada and the United States are again joining together in helping those less fortunate.”
Residents in about 140 cities and towns on both sides of the border will be able to join the Holiday Train spirit and magic, with all food and money raised at each stop staying in that community for local distribution.
Each Holiday Train has 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of festive lights. Included is a modified box car that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. The two trains are assembled and decorated by CP employees in Montreal, Smiths Falls and Calgary.
Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train program has raised $4.8 million and generated almost 2.3 million pounds of food donations for local food shelves.
