The brightly lit holiday train will soon be pulling into Chase and helping out those in need.
This is the 15th year the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has hit the rails visiting 150 communities across Canada.
The Holiday Train will embark on its journey on Nov. 26 from Beaconsfield, Que., finishing up in Port Coquitlam, on Dec. 16.
Come out and support your local food bank and enjoy the festive CP Holiday Train arriving in Chase at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 across from the Chase RCMP office.
Each year the event features a boxcar stage, a lineup of great musical talent and a contribution to the local food bank.
Everyone who attends is encouraged to donate food or cash which stays in their community.
Just by adding one item into the food donation bin at the local grocery store or business, you can help to fight hunger and help families in the community.
Every month food banks in B.C. help 94,000 individuals. Many people don’t realize that it could be their neighbour or co-worker who needs help from a food bank Why? Because there is no typical person that turns to a food bank for help.
It may be a family where both parents are working, but just don’t have enough left over from each paycheque to fully feed their family. It may be a senior whose fixed income just doesn’t stretch far enough. It may be someone who is disabled, has a terminal illness or someone who has lost their job and for the first time in their life, has to reach out for help.
It may be a single mom who is struggling to feed her children because she just doesn’t have enough support.
In fact children make up close to 30 per cent of the people who need help from our community food banks.
This is a critical time of year to reach out for donations and the volunteers of the Chase Hamper Society are doing just that.
In 2012, 237 Christmas hampers were provided and 125 children received gifts at the Community Toy Shop.
While hunger is a year-round reality for many families, the holidays can bring added pressure to ensure cupboards are not bare.