Submitted Photo The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train did not make its annual visit to communities last month to raise funds for food for Americans and Canadians in need but a virtual concert was held and donations were made to local organizations.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train did not visit communities this year but a concert was done virtually this past month and funds were donated to help feed those locally in need.

Louis “Mac” McLeod, executive director of the Minot Area Homeless Coalition, said $7,000 was divided and distributed to three food pantries, eight soup kitchens and Meals on Wheels program.

The funds go to the Minot Area Homeless Coalition and that organization distributes them.

McLeod said they are so thankful for what the CP Holiday Train has been doing each year. Last year’s Holiday Train also was virtual and funds also were donated, he said.

Those receiving the funds locally this year included three food pantries – Our Lady of Grace, Salvation Army and The Lord’s Cupboard; eight soup kitchens – Faith United Methodist, Christ Lutheran, Immanuel Baptist, First Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist, Cornerstone (two) and St. Leo’s; and Meals on Wheels program.

Each year a local organization is selected as recipient of a local food drive. The Salvation Army was the recent recipient.

The recent CP “Holiday Train At Home” concert was streamed on Facebook, YouTube and the Holiday Train website on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.

CP President and CEO Keith Creel said they were disappointed they again could not bring an in-person show to communities along their rail lines but glad they could bring together outstanding musicians for the performance that will help feed Canadians and Americans in need.

“The CP family looks forward to bringing the Holiday Train back on tour as soon as it’s safe,” Creel said.

CP’s 2021 corporate donation will bring the total amount of money raised at CP Holiday Train stops to $20.64 million since the train’s inception in 1999. Food banks have also collected 4.9 million pounds of food donations at local Holiday Train events, according to CP information.