CP Holiday Train Helps Fill Shelves For Growing Need

By Annie MacLeod

On December 17 the CP Holiday Train stopped by Moose Jaw on its annual journey to raise money for food banks across North America, and the event was a smashing success.

Deann Little, Development Manager of Moose Jaw & District Food Bank, couldn’t be more thrilled with this year’s turnout.

“It was beyond Fabulous. I have been with the Food Bank for over eight years – I haven’t seen a turnout like that, maybe ever,” Little said.

The weather was ideal for the event, which featured performances by Meghan Patrick, Tanika Charles and Kelly Prescott.

The Holiday Train racked up 926 pounds of food donation on the night, while the Moose Jaw Co-op collected a total of 13,500 lbs of food leading up to the event. The Food Bank also received a total of $840 in cash donations, as well as a $10,000 cheque from CP Rail. Members of the local union representatives of 510 division Moose Jaw are donating their wages that they would earn for operating the train to the Food Bank as well.

“We got so much food, between the train and the Co-op, with people buying the bags, it was overall just a fantastic event,” Little said. “Our community continues to give so generously to us. Without our community helping us, we couldn’t keep our doors open.”

Deann Little, Development Manager of the MJ & District Food Bank was all smiles with the generosity from those attending the CP Holiday Train - Deannn Little Photo

The need for food in the community continues to grow, and has risen by 9% compared to this time last year.

“It’s been tough. A lot of people are on fixed incomes, so when everything else goes up and their income doesn’t, they struggle to make ends meet,” Little said, adding that unexpected expenses can also pop up for anyone, often resulting in the need for a little extra help.

The Co-op food drive, as well as similar efforts at Safeway and Superstore, will continue until December 24.

Aside from major events, the Food Bank also relies on donations, big or small, from the community all throughout the year. Anything that can be purchased at the grocery store, including food, personal items such as toilet paper and feminine products, are accepted. Perishable items such as potatoes, carrots and fruit and are also in high demand.

“Those we prefer to be brought right down here to our food bank so we can get them out in a timely manner,” Little added.

She stresses that donors need not worry about whether an item might be slightly overripe. They’re happy to sort through items at the Food Bank and anything that is slightly past its prime will be used one way or another, including feed for local livestock.

“So yeah, we find a home for everything,” Little said.

The majority of the Food Bank’s food items come in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and so plans are already in the works to keep things flowing throughout their lean summer months.

George, a volunteer with the MJ & District Food Bank, was out helping with the donations - Deannn Little Photo

The Food Bank will have a booth set up at next summer’s Sidewalk Days, with an emphasis on monetary donations.

“Sometimes when we can bring in the monetary funds, we can also purchase what we need. We can buy in bulk, et cetera, so the monetary aspect is often helpful in our summer months,” Little said.

The Food Bank now accepts all forms of payment at their office, making it easier than ever to make a donation.

The Food Bank also relies heavily on volunteers, some of whom have been working there for a number of years. Little stresses that even those unable to make a huge commitment are more than welcome to lend a hand when they can.

“One volunteer, she just pops in once a week for an hour-and-a-half, and that’s great.”

Monetary donations can be made online at mjfoodbank.org. or brought directly to the Food Bank, located at 305 Fairford St W. Cheques can also be mailed to that location.