Canadian Pacific Holiday Train makes its way into US Midwest

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Dec 03, 2013, 02:15 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - The 2013 CP Holiday Train's journey in support of food shelves begins its Midwest portion of this year's three-week trek with a fundraiser in Gurnee, Illinois, on December 4^th.

Since November 26^th, the 15^th annual Holiday Train has been raising money, food, and awareness for local food banks in the northeast with free festive holiday show. Including the stop in Illinois, the Gurnee show begins a series of events in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota until December 19^th.

At the same time the Holiday Train is travelling through the U.S., second brightly-decorated train is rolling across Canada, with the same mission of helping local food banks in the fight against hunger in their neighbourhoods.

Each Holiday Train consists of 14 brightly decorated railcars, including a modified boxcar that has been turned into a traveling stage for performers. They're each decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED lights and holiday designs. For the 15th year, CP's elves have updated the lighting that adorns the sides of the two trains that are part of the Holiday Train program.

CP asks that attendees bring a non-perishable food or cash donation. All donations stay with the food shelf in the community where they're donated. Items like infant formula, canned meats, and spaghetti sauce are in particular demand.

In addition to raising money and food for local food banks, Canadian Pacific is matching all donations to the Feeding America during this year's Holiday Train journey. People are encouraged to go to www.feedingamerica.org/holidaytrain to make a donation that CP in turn will match dollar-for-dollar. This matching program is above and beyond the donations made to community food shelves at each stop.

For additional information, photos, a route map, and downloadable pictures of the two trains, visit: www.cpr.ca.

Supporters can also join the Holiday Train on Facebook and follow the two trains on Twitter @CPHolidaytrain #CPHolidayTrain.

Broadcast b-roll available at: http://www.cpr.ca/en/in-your-community/holiday-train/Pages/media.aspx

SOURCE Canadian Pacific