AGENCY NEEDS HOLIDAY FOOD; SALVATION ARMY TO FEED HUNDREDS THANKSGIVING

The annual Thanksgiving Day meal at Cape Girardeau's Salvation Army has become something of a tradition in the community.

Each year about 600 people turn out to enjoy a traditional holiday meal of roast turkey and all the trimmings. In addition, diners share fellowship on a day when many would be eating alone.

Joyce Gauthier is coordinating the meal for the Salvation Army.

To feed 600 people the Salvation Army needs at least 30 turkeys and 20 hams. So far it has just six turkeys.

"We have faith the people will come through," Gauthier said. "But it seems like we had more in last year by this time. We should be cooking turkeys now."

Fresh or frozen turkeys can be donated at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope. Safety regulations say the food must be cooked at the Salvation Army.

In addition, the menu calls for mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and desserts, including pies and cakes. All these items are needed as well.

Gauthier said it is impossible for the Salvation Army to receive too much food. "What is left over we use for our regular meals program," she said.

During the last week of each month, the Salvation Army provides an evening meal for the needy. This year Thanksgiving is during the last week of the month. On Thanksgiving the meal will be served as lunch instead of supper.

The Thanksgiving meal began as a way to provide a nutritious meal for the needy on Thanksgiving, but has grown to much more.

Many of the people who attend aren't needy; they are looking for a place to share their Thanksgiving meal with others.

Volunteers are a big part of the Thanksgiving meal's success. People are needed to help set up, prepare and serve food, deliver meals to shut-ins and clean up.

Someone will be working at the Salvation Army from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and volunteers may work for any amount of time.

Gauthier asked that those interested in helping call first to make sure jobs are divided up and everyone has something to do.

"We would also like to make up name tags for the volunteers so it will be easy to distinguish the volunteers from those we are serving," she said.

For those people who can't attend the meal at the Salvation Army headquarters, meals will be delivered.

Shut-ins interested in receiving a Thanksgiving meal should call the Salvation Army ahead of time to arrange delivery. Gauthier needs to know where to deliver and how many meals are needed.

"We have an abundance of people willing to deliver meals," she said. "And we are already taking orders for Thanksgiving Day."

In addition to hosting the Thanksgiving meal, the Salvation Army's annual fund-raising drive, Tree of Lights, kick-off is Tuesday at West Park Mall.

"It's a busy week," Gauthier said. "I am just amazed at how well the community supports us."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Salvation ARmy will serve its annual Thanksgiving Day meal Nov. 28 from noon to 2 p.m. at 701 Good Hope. Volunteers and donations of food items are needed to ensure the success of the feast. More than 500 people are expected. Last year, over 600 were fed.

* Volunteers are needed to prepare, serve and deliver meals to the needy and shut-ins. To volunteer call the Salvation Army at 335-7000.

* Shut-ins may call with their name, telephone number and address and meals will be scheduled for delivery on Thanksgiving Day.

The menu for 600

Turkey (need 30)

Ham (need 20)

Instant mashed potatoes

Stuffing mix

Green beans

Cranberry sauce

Dinner rolls

Dessert

Donations of all these items are needed and can be dropped off at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope.