Thousands of people patiently waited to watch the CP Holiday Train stop in Chatham-Kent on Saturday.
"Yesterday couldn't have been better, everything was wonderful. The turn-out was a warm welcoming for the people of CP Rail, letting them know that Chatham-Kent really appreciates what they were coming out to do for us," said Chatham Outreach for Hunger Executive Director Brenda LeClair.
The train usually stops in Chatham-Kent on Nov. 30, which unlike this year, usually falls on a weekday.
"That really did help a great deal. The donations were up considerably this year from last year and I know that was really due to the fact that it was on a weekend. More people were able to come out and bring their kids out," said LeClair.
The train carried Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea and The Beautiful Beautiful Band. CP Rail donated $4500 to Outreach for Hunger food bank.
"We knew they would be giving us something but we never know how much. And on top of all that, we raised over 6000 pounds of food and $800 just from the generosity of the community stopping by our donation band," she said.
Food donations racked up quickly thanks in part to the Christmas Spirit.
"It was overwhelming to watch it, I mean I've seen that generosity here in Chatham-Kent over the years and I know it's there, but it always, always warms my heart to see it coming in," she said.
The food collected from the donations is given to families in need throughout the Chatham-Kent community, while the money is used to purchase perishable items that can't be donated such as meat, eggs, milk, cheese, and fresh bread.
LeClair is hoping to repeat this year's success in the years to come.
"We're hoping that [CP Rail] will be happy with our turn-out this year and that they'll choose to stop in Chatham again next year, absolutely."
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With files from Allanah Wills
The CP Holiday Train is on its way to Windsor now. It was a great show here in Chatham. #ckont pic.twitter.com/vHdWmrlVGS
— Natalia Vega (@NataliaV_News) November 30, 2019