The CPKC Holiday Train arrived back in Merrickville on Friday November 28th for its 27th year to support food insecurity in communities across the rail network.
The train rolled into Merrickville in all its glory at 4:45pm, to the approximately 5000 people waiting in anticipation!
This year’s festive stop brought in over 1,600 pounds of food and $2,700.00 in monetary donations, gratefully collected thanks to the generosity of all those who attended, and of course, CPKC’s very gracious cheque presentation again of $4,000.00.
This generosity helps to support the efforts of the Food Cupboard Program at Rideau Community Health Services Merrickville Site, House of Lazarus in Mountain, South Grenville Food Bank supporting Prescott, Spencerville, Cardinal in assisting families in need.
Thank you to all the committee members who assisted in organizing and promoting this event, Mayor Micheal Cameron, Merrickville Fire Department, Public Works Department Village of Merrickville Wolford, Merrickville Lions Club, Grenville OPP, and representatives from the various food banks listed.
This evening operates smoothly thanks to the dedication of amazing community volunteers and Lions members who return year after year to greet train visitors, collect donations, problem solve and anything that needs to be done!
Thank you to our partners again for their continued support this year, Campbell’s Sanitation, for donating a port-a-potty, Starbucks Kemptville for supplying hundreds of cups of hot chocolate, coffee and snacks, and the Town of Prescott for hosting a bus to come from their area to enjoy the train. A special thank you to Wilson Bassill for the continued use of his property and supporting a safe venue. Additionally, we extend continued thanks to the businesses in that area for their ongoing patience and support of the evening!
Safety is always our utmost concern before, during, and after the train’s arrival, and having the Grenville OPP and Auxiliary Officers there to keep the traffic controlled and pedestrians safe made the event run smoothly and gave us all peace of mind.
Thank you to the community for the generous amount of food and monetary donations received during the train visit and throughout the year, food banks rely on the generosity of the community to ensure that we can assist those in need!