Dec 12 2009 - 6:00pm
Dec 12 2009 - 7:30pm
Saturday December 12 at 6:30pm, Canadian Pacific's brightly decorated Holiday Train returns to the rails in December, 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. The Holiday Train makes a stop at the Fernie Arts Station on Saturday Dec 12th @ 6:30pm.
"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.
"Each month, thousands of Canadians are faced with making the very real choice between paying rent or buying food," said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada. "Canadian Pacific has become an important partner in supporting these families in need."
Food Banks Canada and its members, affiliate members and respective agencies serve approximately 85 percent of food bank clients in Canada and recently confirmed that 20% more Canadians are enlisting the help of food banks compared to a year ago.
The headlining musical talents on the Canadian Holiday Train this year are alternative rock band The Odds and blues-rocker Shaun Verreault. The Odds bring their energy and full voiced harmonies to the Holiday Train stage for the first time. With international hits such as "Someone Who's Cool" and "Love is the Subject", this power pop quartet will be sure to entertain.
"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."
