MINNEAPOLIS — Canadian Pacific’s brightly decorated Holiday Train returns to the rails in late November, raising food, money and awareness for food banks across North America. Last year, the Holiday Train helped raise more than $500,000 and 250,000 lbs of food and there is greater need this year.
“Canadian Pacific is proud to support communities where we operate, raising more than $4 million in funds and two million pounds of food in the Holiday Train’s first decade,” said CP President and CEO Fred Green. “Each year, the Holiday Train’s message gets stronger and the impact on our employees and in communities becomes more meaningful.”
At each stop, Canadian Pacific provides a brightly decorated train, a box car converted into a stage, great musical talent and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, rallies together at this free event – donating food and funds, all of which stays in their community.
Noting that food shelf visits have grown by 40% this year in Minnesota, Second Harvest Heartland spokesperson, Joan Wadkins, praised the Holiday Train hunger relief outreach, adding that “half of those visits are from families with children, and many of them are first time users of the food shelf.”
“The Holiday Train is a great treat for families, and a great partner in reminding us that some of our neighbors – particularly now – are actually missing meals.” said Wadkins. Last year, the St. Paul stop generated more than $10,000 in donations, and more than $90,000 in grocery products delivered to hungry families.
A diverse array of musicians will headline the US Holiday Train stage this year. Join Prescott and Adam Puddington with their blend of country, rock and blues for the American tour. Blues-rocker Shaun Verreault lends his virtuosic vocals and guitar to the tour from November 28 – December 6. Genre defying Wisconsin singer/songwriter and guitar wizard Willy Porter rounds out the tour December 7 to 18.
“Across North America, wherever there are people who are in need of food, there are communities dedicated to feeding that need” said Verreault. “The Holiday Train helps communities help each other, not just during the holiday season, but year round and I’m honored to help supply the soundtrack to such an inspiring program.”
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, the US Holiday Train will visit South Dakota communities where the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad Corporation, a CP subsidiary, operates.
