CP Holiday Train launches 14th year of raising money, food and awareness for local food banks

U.S. Holiday Train program helping Hurricane Sandy relief efforts

CALGARY, Nov. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific's Holiday Train program is ready to launch for a 14th year of supporting local food banks along its North American rail network and making a difference one stop at-a-time.

On November 28, the Canadian Holiday Train kicks off the cross-Canada journey from Beaconsfield, Que., while the U.S. 'train of lights' will begin its trek through the U.S. Northeast and Midwest from Scranton, Pa. The U.S. Holiday Train will first make stops on November 27 in Kahnawake, Delson, and Lacolle, Que., prior to beginning its U.S. journey.

The two Holiday Trains, each decorated with hundreds of thousands of LED festive lights, will reach over 150 communities with its mission of helping food shelves feed the hungry in their neighbourhoods.

Entertaining crowds at the Holiday Train events from the special boxcar stages are Brothers Dube, Miss Emily, and Doc Walker on the Canadian Train, and Tracey Brown and The Claytones on the U.S. Train. Holiday Train supporters are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or money to donate at the event.

Making this year's U.S. Holiday Train program even more important is the Hurricane Sandy disaster. At each U.S. Holiday Train stop, corporate and community donations made to the local food pantry will be matched by CP. The matching donation, up to US$250,000, will be provided to Feeding America, whose member food banks are continuing to provide food and other supplies to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Since 1999, the Holiday Train program has raised close to C$6.4 million and about 2.6 million pounds of food for North American food banks. Everything raised in the local community stays in that community.

For additional information on the musicians and 2012 schedules visit: www.cpr.ca. Supporters can also join the Holiday Train on Facebook and follow on Twitter @CPHolidaytrain.

Editor's Notes:
**For one-on-one interviews with any of the artists please contact the listed media contacts.
**Broadcast b-roll available at: www.yousendit.com
**Download songs from some of our past and present Holiday Train entertainers on cpr.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Pacific