CALGARY, Dec. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - The 18th
annual Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train raised more than spirits
across North America this holiday
season, with donations of $1.2
million and 250,000 pounds of food counted to this
point.
As food banks continue to count the money raised and weigh the
food donated at each stop this year, the program is on track to
have raised more than C$13 million
and four million pounds of food since its inception in
1999.
"With the need for food banks continually increasing in both
Canada and the U.S., the
importance of the CP Holiday Train program in the community is also
increasing," said E. Hunter
Harrison, CP's Chief Executive Officer. "Beyond food and
monetary donations the CP Holiday Train generates goodwill, raises
spirits and helps people start the holidays off on the right foot.
We thank the communities across our network for supporting the
program and giving back to their neighbours."
The 2016 CP Holiday Train was proud to feature a full Canadian
musical line-up with multiple Canadian Country Music Award and Juno
Award winners. The Canadian train featured Dallas Smith and Odds. On board the U.S. train,
Kelly Prescott partnered with
Doc Walker between Montreal and Windsor, Ont., and Colin James through the U.S. Midwest and Great
Plains. Jonathan Roy anchored the
Quebec shows.
The CP Holiday Train program is not the only way that CP gives
back to food banks. CP also provides Food Banks Canada $250,000 worth of in-kind transportation services
to support its National Food Sharing Service program. Since 2011
CP's contribution has helped transport more than 16 million pounds
of food and household goods to food organizations across
Canada.
"We are grateful for the in-kind support that CP provides to
Food Banks Canada through transportation resources and the direct
monetary donations it gives to communities through the Holiday
Train program," said Katharine
Schmidt, Executive Director, Food Banks Canada. "CP's
history as a Food Banks Canada partner is a long and collaborative
one and we look forward to the future."
The Capture the Spirit photo contest is now closed and winners
have been chosen. Six winners will each be awarded a CP prize pack
including a ride on the 2017 CP Holiday Train and a $1,000 donation to the food bank of their choice.
Winners will be announced on the CP Holiday Train social media
profiles.
Facebook /HolidayTrain
Twitter @CPHolidayTrain
Instagram @CPHolidayTrain
For additional information, photos, a route map and downloadable
pictures of the two trains, visit
http://www.cpr.ca/holiday-train
About the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
CP's annual
Holiday Train program is a rolling fundraising event that travels
across Canada and the United States raising money, food and
awareness for food banks and hunger issues, hosting free holiday
concerts along the way. Since 1999 the program has raised more than
C$13 million and four million pounds
of food. Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet in length with 14
rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of
technology-leading LED lights and a modified boxcar that has been
turned into a traveling stage for performers.
About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific
(TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the
United States with direct links to eight major ports,
including Vancouver and
Montreal, providing North American
customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in
every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers,
offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics
solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail
advantages of CP.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific Holiday Train