CP Holiday Train spreads Christmas cheer on behalf of those in need

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus greeting the crowd at the Holiday Train event on Keegan’s Parkway in Belleville. Photo by Becky McMullen.

By Becky McMullen

BELLEVILLE — Big business is stepping up to help local families in need at Christmas time and it is appreciated, said the head of the local food bank.

Susanne Quinlan, director of operations at the Gleaners Food Bank, said the Canadian Pacific Railways has changed the model to support local non-profits by sending a Holiday Train across both Canada and America to ignite the spirit of giving.

“It makes everybody feel like it used to be. How families and relatives and neighbours helped each other and that’s what CP tries to bring to every community. And just having them say it above ourselves is delightful because it’s not always big businesses that cares about what happens in the communities their business is run through,” she said.

The Holiday Train is an international fundraiser aimed to help small communities. Canadian Pacific Railway said in its mission statement that the goal is to bring together thousands of Canadians and Americans during the holidays. People can watch the progress of the train using an online tracker, showing where the trains location and future stops are visible.

Quinlan says with the holiday season approaching, hundreds of community members and families need a little extra help this December. Gleaners Food Bank is dedicated to supporting indviduals and families who do not have enough money to buy food. On a slow month they support 900 families, but during the bustle of Christmas, they help upwards of 1,200.

The train is a staple in helping the food bank deal with food insecurity during the difficult winter months. With a donation of $7000 from CP, the food bank is able to buy fresh groceries for food hampers given out to families in need. There are hampers reserved specifically for holiday time that include turkey, presents and everything else used to get through December.

“Usually the week before Christmas we’re very busy,” said Quinlan.

She said they rely on the Holiday Train to bring in the extra boost of donations to meet the demands of the community.

Food insecurity is a problem that many Canadians face, especially around holiday season. Over $2 million families live in food insecure homes. With money being divided between gifts, rent and food, the budget can get a little tight for some of the lower income families. By cutting out high groceries bills the food bank can help ease people through the winter and get them to spring in a financially stable position.

“It’s very important that we have what they need,” said Quinlan.

The Holiday Train is a way for the community to get together and help their friends and neighbours while celebrating the holiday season with a concert of festive carols.

With music in the air, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and some warm hot chocolate.

“It’s always so fun,” said Dianne Reniawski, a volunteer at Gleaners.

Reniawski said the only thing missing from the day was the light show reserved for the train’s evening stops.

“I like seeing it in the evening because then the train is all lit up and it’s beautiful,” said Reniawaski.

Kevin Baker, a Loyalist student in his second year of the social service worker program, helped out at the event as part of his placement with Gleaners food bank. He said the event was a complete success.

“The spirit of giving is exactly what happened today. A large turnout of people showing up knowing that their cause is there and there is a need,” he said.