Hundreds turn out for Salvation Army dinner

Martin and Clemencia Rodriguez of Cape Girardeau laughed as 2-year-old Sara Rodriguez stretched to reach a cup of cranberry sauce, a determined look on her face.

She wasn't tall enough to reach it, so she set down the other three cups she was holding and climbed onto a chair to get to the cup near the center of the table.

Sara and her family were among the guests Thursday at the Salvation Army's annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Sara especially liked the sweet treats, Martin Rodriguez said.

"The cake, the cranberry thing -- all sweet," he said. "She likes all sweets."

Harry Sloan, 4, munches on a piece of cherry pie Thursday during the Thanksgiving Day lunch at the Salvation Army in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Sara wasn't alone in her enthusiasm. Harry Sloan, 4, clutched a fork and a small plate containing a piece of cherry pie, which he ate while he walked through the line with his family.

Jaden Loeffler, 4, was busy tagging along behind his mom as she moved around the tables, distributing plates and taking requests.

Mary Kim Loeffler, who lives in St. Louis but was in town to visit family, said this was her first year volunteering.

"He's a little reluctant to be here," she said of Jaden. "Little overwhelmed, I think, but we felt like it was important for him to be here and just to learn what that season's about, really."

Capt. Bridgette Amick of the Salvation Army said organizers prepared for about 2,000 guests. Visitors also had the opportunity to pick up a free coat.

By 12:30 p.m., nearly 1,200 people had received a plate, a coat or both, and Amick said volunteers were delivering about 250 meals to those who couldn't come in for dinner, including shut-ins, older adults and Cape Girardeau and Jackson firefighters and police officers who had to work Thursday.

Amick said preparations for the event start more than a month in advance, with about 150 volunteers donating time and labor in the week before the dinner.

Among those volunteers was Sarah Hale of Cape Girardeau, who distributed place mats made by students in the Scott County Central School District.

Hale, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, said she doesn't have family in the area, so she decided to spend the day helping the Salvation Army.

"I enjoy working with the seniors, and I enjoy watching people enjoy the food and to see how many people really that needs it that don't have family," she said.

Some participants come to the dinner because they can't afford to prepare an elaborate Thanksgiving meal, while others are there to avoid being alone on the holiday, Amick said.

"We're here for those who don't have the resources," she said, pausing mid-thought as a little boy ran up to hug her. "We're here for those who just need the fellowship on the holiday."

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO

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Want to help?

Anyone interested in helping with the Salvation Army*'s community projects can call 335-7000 or visit tsacapegirardeau.org to sign up as a volunteer.