Includes bibliographical references.

"On one side of the ocean, a war had ended, leaving many in Europe without enough food. On the other side of the ocean, Americans asked, 'How can we help?' The need was too great for any one person to fill--but what could people do if they joined together? The answer was the Friendship Train, which ran from the West Coast to the East collecting good food for hungry bellies. Americans of all ages gave what they could. Especially children! They donated their allowances, sold newspapers, collected food from neighbors, loaded packages onto trucks and boxcars--all for strangers across the sea. And in return, those strangers asked themselves How can we say 'thank you?' Still recovering from the war, they didn't have a lot to give, but they found a way--their own train full of ways--to express their gratitude"-- Provided by publisher.