(WXYZ) — Canadian Pacific said that the Holiday Train will not run this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the company said it will donate to food banks in communities along the network and host a virtual concert.
“COVID-19 has created many challenges for communities across our network and has only increased the need at local food banks and food shelves,” said CP President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel. “It is our honor to continue to donate to communities across our network this year, even if the train itself will not run. The spirit of the Holiday Train program and the Christmas spirit will carry on this year through our virtual concert. We will have the Holiday Train rolling again spreading Christmas cheer as soon as it’s safe to do so!”
The Holiday Train launched in 1999 and has traveled across Canada and the U.S. every year raising money and collecting food. It has raised $17.8 million and $4.8 million pounds of food so far.
“We are very excited that CP has chosen a safe way to keep the spirit of the CP Holiday Train rolling in support of local food banks like ours in these challenging times,” said Calgary Food Bank President and CEO James McAra. “The need for food bank services has risen substantially over the course of this year and heading into the high-demand winter months. We hope CP’s concert will prompt the train’s supporters to give as generously as they’re able.”
The details for the benefit concert will be announced when they're available. The company plans to resume the Holiday Train in 2021.
