Jefferson City Receives Honor

***UPDATE 6:35 P.M***Jefferson City has now become part of Train Town U.S.A. Union Pacific doesn’t just honor everyone according to Ben Jones, the Union Pacific Public Affairs Director. Less than 100 train stations are part of the honorary program.Due to the celebration, Union Pacific officals donated $10,000 to the Central Missouri Food Bank. The Food Bank Director Peggy Kirkpatrick said, “we are in need of all the donations we can receive.” According to Kirkpatrick they have seen a decline in donations compared to last year by at least $3,000 worth of food. She also added, “we are always accepting donations.”As the railroad continues to transport goods across the country the Mayor of Jefferson City said, “the railroad has been vitally important to the economic development in this region.”Mayor Eric Streumph said, “these tracks are over 100 years old, and they will continue to be part of our history even in the future.”***ORIGINAL STORY***Some of the economic engine of Jefferson City comes from trains. And even the Union Pacific Train Depot says the development the railroad has brought to the region in Jefferson City is very powerful.”The railroads are also building America by the goods that we’ve moved, in all different facets, from the lumber that builds home, to the energy products, to even the foods, that folks put on their table.” That’s why Union Pacific honored Jefferson City as part of Train Town U.S.A.”It’s pretty exciting for folks, you gotta think there’s over 73,000 communities, that Union Pacfic operates in the United States.”And as part of the recognition, a local charity organization received a gift to help an abundance of people this holiday season.”The Central Missouri Food Bank received 10,000 dollars,enough to fill up one railroad truck worth of food donations”The Central Missouri Food Bank says they have been struggling this year to reach their annual goal of 28 million dollars worth of food. “The need today is extremely high, and we continue to see families that are struggling, and trying to make ends meet,” Director Peggy Kirkpatrick said. “And helping the Central Missouri Food Bank is one great way to do that, this time of year especially.”As for train town U.S.A. the history of the railroad the mayor says is vitally important to the makings of Jefferson City.”It’s nearly 100 years old, or just over 100 years old so, these tracks, have been a huge part of our history and will continue to be in the future.”