SALVATION ARMY GIVES FOOD BASKETS TO NEEDY

When the holiday sounds of bellringers fall silent and the kettles are taken from area stores, the work of the Salvation Army will continue well into the new year and beyond.

Next year, however, may prove difficult for the Army unless contributions to the Tree of Lights increase significantly in the upcoming days and weeks.

Capt. Robert Gauthier, corps officer for the Cape Girardeau Salvation Army, said Tuesday that contributions to the annual campaign are about $10,000 behind what they were at this time last year.

"I'm concerned about what will happen if we don't make our goal. We want to keep the assistance going. We don't want to cut back," Gauthier said.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, workers and volunteers for the Salvation Army began distributing food in the annual Christmas basket program, which provides individuals and families with at least the makings of a holiday meal.

Baskets included boxes of instant potatoes, stuffing, Jell-O and macaroni and cheese, as well as canned goods and a bag of apples provided by Pioneer Orchard in Jackson.

Once they had been given their baskets, recipients made their way to a refrigerated trailer behind the Salvation Army's building where Army employee Donald Hanebrink was ready to hand them one of the 950 frozen turkeys the organization had to give away.

Hanebrink, his hands thrust deep in his coat pocket when he wasn't giving someone a turkey, stood inside the cold trailer, never complaining about his cold nose and feet, but singing along with Christmas songs that played on a tape player.

People also received food vouchers for Schnucks or Sav-a-lot, allowing them to buy perishables such as milk, eggs or butter. And they were given gift certificates that will let them eat a meal at Taco John's on Christmas Eve.

About 840 people had signed up with the Army to receive a food basket. After they had received their baskets, the Army distributed the remaining baskets on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"We'll go until they're gone," Gauthier said.

As of Tuesday, the Salvation Army had raised $113,000 toward its $175,000 goal. By this time last year they had raised $123,000.

The kettles have done well, Gauthier said, but the mail appeal and the donations brought into the Salvation Army offices have been slower than in years past. Some large corporate donations that have usually come in before Christmas haven't been made yet this year, Gauthier said. He still hopes they will come in.

"I don't want to put the kettles out after Christmas," but it may be necessary to raise the money, he said.

Although the Salvation Army is most visible during the holiday season, the money raised through the Tree of Lights campaign goes not only for the Christmas assistance programs funded by the Salvation Army, but for numerous assistance projects throughout the year.