OLDS — With an 82 per cent increase in Mountain View Food Bank usage over last year, officials say a recent $4,000 donation from the CPKC Holiday Train was appreciated.
Mountain View Food Bank Society president Tayva Graham, along with Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper, received the donation from CPKC conductor Nate Thiessen during the Holiday Train’s stop at the 50th Street crossing in Olds on Dec. 13.
“This is going to help. Unfortunately, we’re up 82 per cent here in our community, so every little bit helps us out,” said Graham.
She noted that two food bank volunteers were on hand that day, ready to receive donations from people in the crowd.
“If anyone’s able to give, give what you can, we greatly appreciate it,” she told a crowd gathered for the mid-afternoon event.
Graham was asked by the Albertan how the food bank is coping with that huge increase in use.
“It’s challenging, but we make it work. We just get through the days we’re open and help as many as can use it,” she said.
Mayor Judy Dahl expressed gratitude for the CPKC Holiday Train, saying each year it travels across the continent, “spreading holiday cheer and raising donations to help people struggling with food security, so Olds and area is thrilled to welcome the CPKC Holiday Train back to our community.
“You can feel and you can see, all around you today, that people are coming together in kindness, strength and compassion,” she added.
The CPKC Holiday Train “really is the start of Christmas,” Olds-Didsbury Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper said.
“Christmas is not about us, but it’s about our friends and neighbours and it really is about you, so thank you for making today possible, for your generosity,” he said.
“Thank you for being here and making Olds what it is today.”