CHURCH BECOMES STOPGAP FAMILY

The past month was hell for Ann Ingram.

Her home burned Oct. 22, leaving her to live with her daughter and grandson in the family car. Later, they lived with one friend and then another.

"I've had to develop a sense of humor about this," Ingram said.

She was one of 280 people who ate Thanksgiving Day dinner at the Salvation Army's new building on Sprigg Street in Cape Girardeau.

Each of the guests had a different reason for being there.

Ingram now lives with her daughter and grandson in a three-room apartment in Chaffee.

Bureaucratic delays initially kept Ingram from qualifying for emergency food supplies or housing. She turned to the Salvation Army a few days after the fire.

There she received clothing and an invitation to Thanksgiving Day dinner. Although Ingram has 18 brothers and sisters, she decided to go to Cape Girardeau and eat with those who have had a tougher time of it than even she has.

It helped her recall the meaning of Thanksgiving.

"I don't have a damn thing, but I have a lot to be thankful for," Ingram said. "My daughter survived the fire, and I have my family. It's fantastic to come up here, relax and enjoy all the togetherness."

For Brady Bryant, who has been alive for 74 Thanksgiving holidays, the event was a chance to spend time with his brother.

His wife, who didn't feel like cooking and doesn't like crowds, stayed home.

But Bryant had two take-out plates for her and a friend.

"I was here about two years ago," he said. "The food brought me back. But really, this is lovely. They have done a wonderful job here."

Others came because of financial need.

Ron Hay and his wife, Linda, sat together. Married less than a year, they live on Good Hope, not far from the Salvation Army building. They were without a stove or the money for a traditional Thanksgiving meal at home.

Linda Hay said another reason made her want to leave home for the holiday. Her father, who used to fix the annual turkey, is now in a local nursing home.

"Coming here helps me get my mind off Dad," she said. "I feel pretty empty without him. This is like getting together with family. We're still celebrating."

Hazel Crader, a member of the local Salvation Army congregation, ate with her son, Cletus Kiefer, and two granddaughters.

One of the girls, Celeste Kiefer, 11, said she thought it was cool to eat with the crowd. Her grandmother was happy to be out of the kitchen.

Crader worked all day Wednesday preparing food for the meal and didn't want to cook anymore. She was happy to see everyone together and enjoying the results of her work.

Her son traveled from northern St. Louis County for the meal. But food wasn't the most important part of the day, he said.

"There should be more attention given to why we are celebrating," Kiefer said. "People see it more as a tradition than having any meaning behind it.

"They don't think about what they are thankful for," he added as he gestured to his two young daughters working on their turkey and dressing.