Hundreds of people came out to see the CPKC Holiday Train as it pulled into Brighton on Friday, November 29, 2024.
The Holiday Train, complete with a Christmas wreath on the front of the engine arrived just before noon at the Prince Edward Street crossing.
Shortly after the large door on the side of the railcar slowly lowers and the entertainment started.
Between the two performers, Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander and Emily Rowley from the Brighton Food Bank accepted a cheque for $5,000.
Rowley said the CPKC Holiday Train has stopped in Brighton for at least the last 15-years.
“It is certainly a boost and we get a monetary cheque from the train company and of course we have overwhelming support from the community with food and monetary donations.”
The number of people using the local food bank in Brighton have gone up approximately 30% over the last year.
Rowley estimated the number of families and households served by the food bank in Brighton is approximately 100 per month.
“We were pretty flat-lined during COVID, but these last couple of years we’ve certainly gone up.”