The CPKC Holiday Train will be back in Olds, Didsbury and Innisfail Friday, Dec. 8, marking its 25th year of supporting food banks and awareness of food insecurity issues across Canada.
The train is scheduled to arrive at 12:45 p.m. in Innisfail at the 50th Street railway crossing, 2:20 p.m. in Olds at the at the 50th Street crossing and 3:30 p.m. in Didsbury at 20th Street and 18th Avenue.
It’s part of a journey that goes on to Calgary and down through the U.S.
CPKC donates to the local food bank at each stop, including Olds.
Live concerts, expected to last about an hour, will be held at each location featuring Anyway Gang: Sam Roberts (Sam Roberts Band), Dave Monks (Tokyo Police Club), Menno Versteeg (Hollerado), and Chris Murphy (Sloan).
Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations.
Mountain View Food Bank president Tayva Graham is thankful for the awareness and support this Holiday Train brings.
“We’ve had a huge increase of people using the food bank in 2023,” she said in a news release issued by the Town of Olds.
“We are feeding about 500 people a week this year and we expect that number to rise to around 700 in the weeks leading up to Christmas.”
Graham thanked volunteers and generous residents for supporting the food bank.
Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl echoed those thoughts.
“The Holiday Train’s visit to Olds is a much-loved tradition that brings our community together for a cause that touches many lives,” she said in the news release.
“It is with sincere gratitude that Olds once again hosts this extraordinary event.
“The Holiday Train is not just a symbol of holiday spirit but also a reminder of the power of unity in community to come together to address food insecurity.”
For more information about the event and how to contribute, contact the Mountain View Food Bank.
