The CPKC Holiday Train has rolled through Belleville.
Stopping at Keegan Parkway, the train put on a festive holiday concert as volunteers with Gleaners Food Bank collected donations.
Mayor Neil Ellis and Gleaners Food Bank Community Engagement Specialist Jodie Jenkins accepted a cheque from the railway for $7000 for the food bank, as part of the festivities.
In an interview with Quinte News, Jenkins said that the outpouring of community support for the food bank is critical to keeping people fed.
“We’ve seen quite the spike in the boxes we prepare,” said Jenkins. “As an example, a couple months ago, we were preparing over 1000 food boxes per month. In the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen that number jump to over 1100 on average. So the need continues to increase.”
The train continued its annual cross-continent trip with a visit to Trenton and Brighton, presenting a $5000 cheque to the Care and Share food bank.
Photos of the event can be seen below..
The CPKC Holiday train approaches its prepared stop in Belleville. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Performers entertain a crowd from a stage made from a converted railcar. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
A large cheque is presented, representing CPKC’s $7000 donation to Gleaners Food Bank. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
A large crowd filled the park and spilled out onto Keegan Parkway to watch the Holiday Train. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
