PLANS FOR HOLIDAY DINNER BEING MADE

The Salvation Army and FISH Volunteers of Cape Girardeau will probably provide increased services as the organizations prepare for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Each year the Salvation Army hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for the needy or shut-ins. FISH has no special projects during the holidays, but provides food to anyone who needs it year-round.

"We are anticipating we will serve at least 500 people," said Capt. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army. More than 600 meals were served during last year's dinner.

"We're just there on an on-going basis," said Gil Degenhardt, a FISH board member. "People are pretty well-informed to our role being a crisis-treating situation. If anyone needs anything from us, they generally come to the door, and the phone number and information about how to contact us is listed."

The Salvation Army hosts its yearly event with the help of volunteers and donations. Gauthier said they have not received many donations to date.

This year the dinner will be held from noon until 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, on Thanksgiving Day.

Food items, including turkeys, hams, instant mashed potatoes, ingredients for stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and desserts are needed.

Volunteers are needed to prepare, serve and deliver meals to the needy and shut-ins.

"Shut-ins need to call with their name, number and address," Gauthier said. "If they don't have a number, they need to give a neighbor's number so that we can contact them if we are running late or having trouble finding the home."

Representatives from several local organizations said they often refer the people they support to the Salvation Army and FISH during the holidays.

Employees at the Easter Seal Society said they usually refer people to these organizations year-round because the programs provide direct service and aid.

Cheri Chapman, a mental-retardation professional with Hab Care Inc., said the people Hab Care supports have several options available during the holidays.

"A lot of our people go home with employees," Chapman said, "and others go home with their family members. We also have a group dinner if they want to attend that."

Chapman said most of her organization's needs are met by the Sikeston Regional Center, but sometimes people are referred to FISH as well.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or to volunteer for the Salvation Army dinner should call the Salvation Army at 335-7000. Anyone wishing to make a donation to FISH should call 334-0207.