CHOW, the Community Hunger Outreach Program of the Broome County Council of Churches, will be the beneficiary of the annual visit to Binghamton of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train. The public is invited to meet the festively outfitted train and enjoy the live musical entertainment. Canadian Pacific notes that the concerts are free but they encourage attendees to bring non-perishable food items or a cash donation for CHOW. The train will be at the Binghamton East Rail Yard on Conklin Avenue at 8:15 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 27.
Since 1999, the Holiday Train, which visits over 150 U.S. communities over its three week journey, has raised close to C$9.5 million and 3.3 million pounds of food for North American food banks. All of the money and food collected at its Binghamton stop will stay in the community through its donations to CHOW.
The brightly decorated rail cars, with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED lights and amazing holiday designs will pull into the rail yard, the side of one of the cars will transform into a stage, and the music will begin. This year’s entertainment is headlined by Canadian Country Hall of Fame honoree Tracey Brown. The 30 minute show includes a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs. Brown has released more than 20 albums over her career and was nominated for a Juno as Best Country Female Vocalist in 1999.
“CHOW is very honored to have been chosen by Canadian Pacific as its area partner in this initiative to battle hunger, says Rev. Dr. Joe Sellepack, Executive Director of the Council of Churches. “Their visit brings a bright light on the importance of support for people facing food insecurity. On this Thanksgiving Day visit, we are especially thankful for their amazing support of our community.
For further information about CHOW and the Broome County Council of Churches contact: Rev. Dr. Joe Sellepack at jsellepack@broomecouncil.net