The Canadian Pacific holiday train will host a virtual show this year. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

HELPING FOOD BANKS

CP Holiday Train raising awareness and funds for food banks through online show this year

Dec 9, 2020 | 3:00 PM

The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train is going virtual this year but the goal remains the same as it has for the past 21 years.

On a typical year, the holiday train stops at numerous communities across its network to raise awareness and funds for Food Banks.

CP Spokesperson Salem Woodrow told northeastNOW its program will continue because it’s more important than ever to support food banks.

“We will continue to draw attention to food security issues while ensuring donations go to all food banks that would ordinarily receive them, including those that would typically host a holiday train event,” Woodrow said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CP will still donate to those food banks and host a virtual concert in lieu of the regular holiday train program.

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“We recognize that COVID-19 has created many challenges for communities across our network and has increased the needs for food banks,” Woodrow said.

The ‘holiday train at home’ concert will feature a full Canadian star-studded line-up of The Trews, Serena Ryder, JoJo Mason, Kelly Prescott and Logan Staats. The show will be hosted on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. on the CP Facebook page. An archived version of the show will be available on the page for later viewing for those who are unable to tune in live.

Viewers looking to donate this year will be directed to Food Banks Canada or their local food banks.

“The event will raise money and awareness to help those local food banks collect the much-needed donations at such a crucial time of year,” Woodrow said.

The show typically stops at over 150 communities throughout its network with anywhere from 10 to 15 stops in Saskatchewan.

Last year, the train made a stop in nearby Wynyard and Foam Lake and would have made a stop in Lanigan this year as visits alternate between communities each year.

“We look forward to have the holiday train rolling again, spreading that Christmas cheer as soon as it is safe to do so,” she said.

Since the train’s inception in 1999, nearly $20 million has been raised for food banks and 4.8 million pounds of food donations have been collected at holiday train events.

CP will donated $1.24 million this year to 201 food banks.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser