Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Pacific (CP) will be shifting focus and holding a virtual holiday-themed concert for the 2020 season, rather than operating the iconic, brightly lit Holiday Trains across its network in Canada and the U.S.
According to a press release from the railroad, "This is not a decision that CP took lightly. ... (It is) based on guidance from local health authorities and promotes the safety of our employees and the communities we operate through.
"We know the need and demand for food bank services," the press release continued. "CP will proudly make donations this year to our local food bank beneficiaries that would have received a contribution had the train tour gone forward. CP will also make donations to food banks that benefit from the train every other year due to our alternating Holiday Train schedules in some areas."
The Holiday Train has been a major fundraiser for the Becker County Food Pantry for many years now. Rather than having a local drive for food and cash donations, however, CP is asking that support be given to a virtual concert that is in the works for December.
The goal of the concert, the press release states, is "to prompt the (holiday) train’s supporters to give as generously as they’re able."
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More details about the date and format of the virtual concert will become available in the coming weeks.
Since 1999, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train program has raised over $17.8 million and 4.8 million pounds of food to help those in need, including patrons of the Detroit Lakes-based Becker County Food Pantry.
