'Remarkable generosity, big crowds' colored CP's holiday train

Canadian Pacific's 2014 Holiday Train program raised more than $1.1 million and provided 300,000 pounds of donated food to North American food banks and shelves.

The program's hallmarks were "remarkable generosity, big crowds and tremendous community spirit," CP officials said in a press release.

"The crowds in 2014 were simply amazing — a true reflection of all the hard work put in by community volunteers," said CP Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison. "CP is proud to support local food banks across Canada and the U.S., and looks forward to the 2015 edition of the Holiday Train."

Last year's program also provided a platform to discuss access to healthy, nutritious food at numerous locations. Food organization representatives shared stories about volunteerism and donations of fresh, locally farmed foods provided to the most vulnerable people in their communities, CP officials said.

Patrons attending Holiday Train events were asked to donate healthy food items while food shelves were asked to commit 10 percent or more of CP's monetary donation to healthy food initiatives or purchases.

Since the railroad launched the program in 1999, the Holiday Train has helped raise more than $10.6 million and provide 3.6 million pounds of donated food to local food banks and shelves.