St. Louis immigrants thankful for first American Thanksgiving

ST. LOUIS -- The turkey, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes: all delicious.

It was the cranberry sauce that was the confusing part.

"How do you eat this? With the turkey or alone?," asked Javier Lafuend, 23, a Spanish man who has only been in America for three months.

He's told he can eat the cranberry sauce any way he wants.

So he pours it over his green beans.

Lafuend was one of about 250 immigrants who tried a traditional Thanksgiving meal for the first time Tuesday at the International Institute. The organization in St. Louis helps newcomers learn English and adjust to life in America.

Last year, the institute, which has been open since 1919, provided services to more than 10,000 foreign-born people from 50 countries. While the numbers of new immigrants and refugees are down significantly in St. Louis and nationwide since Sept. 11, the International Institute is busier than ever. That's due in part to the numbers of secondary migrants, or foreign-born people who are moving to the St. Louis area after living in other parts of America, and also the tough economy.

The Thanksgiving meal is an International Institute tradition, one that's been in place about 15 years. "What's really important about a Thanksgiving dinner for new arrivals is that it gives them an opportunity to understand our culture," said International Institute president Anna Crosslin.

For the past three years, the International Institute has teamed up with Adam's Mark Hotels, which provides the turkey and all the fixings.

At the event, there is halal turkey, which has been specially blessed and prepared to accommodate Muslim clients. Organizers also offer boxed Thanksgiving meals, so that those fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan may enjoy the meal after sundown.

Several immigrants wore traditional native dress, and some spoke halting in English, but all got into the spirit of the occasion, playing Thanksgiving-themed games before the meal. Two Adam's Mark chefs showed the group how to make stuffing and prepare the bird.