Stories of Alberta: CPKC Holiday Train

If you’ve ever stopped at a railway crossing waiting for a train to pass, chances are you didn’t pull over and put your car in park to watch with awe as the train went by. But for the last 25 years, that’s exactly what many Albertans have been doing when the CPKC Holiday Train chugs through their town. 

The CPKC Holiday Train (formerly the CP Holiday Train) first hit the rails in 1999, decked out with twinkling lights and holiday decorations sure to gather crowds from miles away. But a 1000-foot-long train decorated with bright lights, live music and Christmas spirit isn’t the only thing drawing spectators — it’s the powerful message of giving back to those in need.

“People are very generous at Christmas and giving back to food banks makes people feel good.”

In the 25 years since its inaugural cross-country journey, the Holiday Train has raised over $22.5 million and collected more than 5 million pounds of food for community food banks across North America.

Lynne Jenkinson, Flagstaff Food Bank board secretary, says it’s common for people to think about other people during the holiday season, especially in rural communities with the support of farmers and food suppliers. “People are very generous at Christmas and giving back to food banks makes people feel good.”

Over the years, Lynne has watched several Holiday Trains roll through Hardisty, and every year the contribution to the food bank is more than she could have ever imagined. At every stop, food bank representatives are called onto the rail car stage to receive their donation and spectators are invited to donate too. This often leaves the food bank with donations of over $10,000 at the end of the event. “Each time the number grows greater it brings more tears to my eyes,” she says.

On average, the Flagstaff Food Bank receives 80% of its yearly donations in November and December. Many of these donations come from the fundraising efforts of the Holiday Train and other holiday-themed fundraisers like the Food Bank’s reverse advent calendar. “These campaigns bring us enough food to last us until July,” says Lynne, “And without them, food might only last us until March.”

This sense of community support around the holidays is especially important this year as many food banks have seen an increase in usage as the cost of living continues to rise. The Flagstaff Food Bank has provided nearly 700 hampers this year, an increase of 23 percent since last year. “This is the worst we’ve seen in 23 years of operation,” says Lynne. Many other food banks are experiencing the same fate, no matter how long they’ve been in operation.

But hope remains. Alice Wagenaar is a board member for the Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre which opened its doors in 2020. She’s hopeful that the Holiday Train will help the Food Centre meet the growing demand for their services.

“As I see the demand for food increase, especially at Christmas, I’m really looking forward to seeing the food centre be able to meet that demand,” says Alice. “The train visit is short and sweet, but people have really rallied around it in the past and I expect the same will happen this year.”

“The Holiday Train raises awareness about food insecurity, but it also has given a chance for community members to gather together and see that nobody has to suffer alone.”

Melissa Mailman, captain at the Salvation Army Food Bank in Wetaskiwin, says the rallying of support for food banks when the train makes a stop has the most impact. “The Holiday Train raises awareness about food insecurity, but it also has given a chance for community members to gather together and see that nobody has to suffer alone.”

For years, the CPKC Holiday Train has been sparking joy across our province and giving back to those in need in a time when lifting people up is so important. “Let’s spread joy and let’s spread hope that this too shall pass,” says Melissa. “There’s always going to be happiness and joy that is deeply rooted in all of us.”