FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

Jessica Sund
Director of development and communications
507-424-1729
jessicasund@channel-one.org

November 27, 2023

ROCHESTER, Minnesota—The 25th annual Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be rolling across the country and collecting monetary donations for Channel One Regional Food Bank at its Rochester stop December 6.

The CPKC Holiday Train will be stopping in Rochester from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. December 6 on the northwest side of the Barlow Hy-Vee—located at 1605 Civic Center Drive. NW—behind the employee parking lot. Along with bringing holiday cheer, the CPKC Holiday Train is making a difference, one stop at a time through raising money and awareness about food insecurity in communities across North America. (Please note: Channel One will not be accepting donations of food.)

While the CPKC Holiday Train event is free, attendees are asked to bring a monetary donation to support Channel One Regional Food Bank and its mission of strengthening food access and building healthy communities.

“With 31% more people turning to our local food shelves and pantries over last year, any monetary donation generously gifted to further Channel One’s mission is so important, especially during what is expected to be a busy holiday season,” said Virginia Witherspoon Merritt, Channel One Regional Food Bank executive director.

Since 1999, the CPKC Holiday Train has helped raise over $22.5 million for food banks to help those facing food insecurity.

The CPKC Holiday Trains features 14 brightly decorated rail cars, including one modified boxcar as a traveling stage for the performers. Each is decorated with thousands of LED lights and holiday designs. The event will include a brief ceremony to recognize Channel One Regional Food Bank’s efforts in its fight against hunger, a half hour of holiday themed music provided by Breland and Tenille Townes, and a visit from Santa Claus.

For more information about Channel One Regional Food Bank and its programs, click here.

###

About Channel One Regional Food Bank

Channel One Regional Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. Channel One operates food programs to serve local and area needs such as: a food bank, a food shelf, mobile pantries, Childhood Hunger Programs, Kitchen Coalition and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Channel One Regional Food Bank mobilizes organizations, volunteers, and donors to serve the network of over 160 nonprofit programs that provide food for children, adults, and families in need. Channel One serves 14 counties across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, call 507.287.2350 or visit helpingfeedpeople.org.

About Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides 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.

About the CP Holiday Train

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train tours Canada and the U.S. in November and December raising money, food and awareness for the important work that food banks do in their communities. Professional musicians play free half-hour concerts from the brightly decorated train’s stage. CP makes a donation to the local food shelf at each stop and encourages attendees to also donate. Since its inception in 1999, the Holiday Train has raised more than $22.4 million and 5.15 million pounds of food for community food banks. A full schedule, a list of performers and promotional materials are available on cpr.ca/holidaytrain.