SALVATION ARMY SEEKS ASSISTANCE FOR THANKSGIVING

Donations are needed for Cape Girardeau's community Thanksgiving meal, sponsored annually by the Salvation Army.

The meal will be served on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, at the Salvation Army headquarters, 701 Good Hope.

Capt. Elmer Trapp, who heads the local Salvation Army operation, said organization of the annual meal has just begun.

"We're just now getting into the Thanksgiving season," Trapp said. "In the next couple weeks I expect a lot of activity for the dinner."

But Trapp doesn't worry about the success of the annual meal. "We will have a successful Thanksgiving dinner. The community always comes through."

Last year, the army served about 450 traditional Thanksgiving meals of turkey and dressing. The meals are free and are served to anyone who would like to partake. Dinners are also delivered to people unable to come to the Salvation Army headquarters.

Trapp said donations are needed of turkeys, hams, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, corn, desserts, bread and rolls.

Monetary contributions are also needed, and can be mailed to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.

Trapp said, "The Thanksgiving dinner meets various needs in the community."

It offers a place for people to come to celebrate the holiday if they are alone.

"This is a community Thanksgiving meal. We want to have all types of folks come," he said.

"A lot of folks come to us who don't have anyone in the area. This is their Thanksgiving dinner. We have seniors who come. We have couples who come because they don't want to prepare a big Thanksgiving dinner for just two people.

Trapp emphasized that the meal, while free, is not designed to feed only the poor.

"Sometimes people categorize people in need as people who don't have a lot of money. But people have a lot of different needs," he said.

"Many people who come here for Thanksgiving dinner have plenty of money to pay for a meal, and sometimes they leave us contributions. They are in need of fellowship on a holiday and we can provide that."

Another tradition of the annual dinner is the volunteers who spend hours preparing and serving the meal. Last year, an estimated 90 volunteers helped out.

"A lot of these volunteers have made this part of their Thanksgiving celebration," Trapp said.

"Last year we had some college students come down here because they were too far away from their homes to go home for the holiday.

"I firmly believe people who volunteer have a lot of fun," Trapp said. "Although there is a lot of work to be done, it is just a lot of fun."

For more information, call the Salvation Army at 335-7000.