(Canadian Pacific issued the following news release on December 12.)
CALGARY — The 2005 CPR Holiday Train, North America’s only rolling fundraiser of its kind, has reached important fundraising milestones as it continues to move across Canada and the Midwest U.S. raising food, money and awareness for food bank programs across Canada and the United States.
With donations still rolling in, cash contributions to this point have already topped $230,000, pushing the six-year total to more than $2.1 million that has gone back local food banks. During 2004’s entire Holiday Train Program, a total of $375,000 was donated to North American food banks. As well, food donations in the first week of the two-week, cross-Canada journey have reached 50 tons, which has pushed the total since 1999 to 428 tons of food.
“More people are recognizing the spirit and importance of this unique national food bank fundraiser and are coming to support local food bank programs in their communities,” said CPR Vice President Paul Clark, who noted all donations collected in a community remain in that community for distribution.
The country’s largest rolling fundraiser, which launched in Beaconsfield, Quebec on December 2nd, is in the midst of visiting up to 70 Canadian communities in six provinces, wrapping up its journey in Port Moody, B.C. on Saturday, December 17th. In addition to scheduled events, the Holiday Train, with its brightly decorated 14 rail cars, is making a number of stops at other locations along the way.
Bringing holiday cheer as well as the important food bank message are
performers: singer/songwriter/ Wayne Rostad; pop singing star Amanda Stott; and International recording artists the Moffatts. At every event, food bank volunteers are also on hand to receive donations of non-perishable food items or cash.
The Canadian Association of Food Banks has indicated that in one month alone – March 2005 – over 800,000 different people accessed food banks, including more than 300,000 children. While CAFB provides food daily for people in need, its ultimate goal is a hunger-free Canada.
A second Holiday Train is currently in the U.S. Midwest, visiting close to 40 communities in the United States in support of hunger relief in America.
The U.S. Holiday Train will make additional stops in North Portal, Estevan and Weyburn, Saskatchewan on December 17th, once it completes its U.S. journey.
About the Canadian Association of Food Banks
Founded in 1985, the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) is the national umbrella organization representing voluntary food charities, including about 250 member food banks. CAFB is the voice of food banks in Canada. Members and their agencies serve approximately 90 per cent of people who use emergency food programs nation-wide. CAFB operates the National Food Sharing System, coordinating the shipment of food donations through voluntary transport to food banks across the country. In addition to food received from the CAFB, food bank members distribute an estimated 150 million pounds of food per year to the less fortunate in their communities. In March 2005, over 800,000 different people accessed food banks, including more than 300,000 children. While CAFB provides food daily for people in need, its ultimate goal is a hunger-free Canada.