VOLUNTEERS, APPETITES GATHER FOR HEARTY MEAL

Twenty turkeys, seven hams and more than 450 filled stomachs.

The statistics gratified the Salvation Army's 75 volunteers who cooked, served and cleared away food for Cape Girardeau's needy.

Capt. Elmer Trapp of the local Salvation Army, said people shouldn't confuse needy with poor.

Many of the people who ate Salvation Army turkey have money, and some of them even made donations. But they all shared a need.

"Need has nothing to do with one's status in life," Trapp said. "Some people just don't want to get dressed and get out, so they have meals delivered. Others just want to be around people. We don't actually get many hungry or homeless in here."

There was no financial criteria for the meal. Anyone could come in and be served turkey, ham, dressing, green beans and other goodies. Volunteers brought food to the tables and cleared it away, stopping to wish patrons a happy Thanksgiving or ask how they were doing.

Donations from the community paid for the food and supplies. As the number fed rises, so does the Salvation Army's need for donations.

Ten years ago, Trapp said, they fed about 300. Now the number is near 500. This year, 455 meals were served.

Cherie Herbst was responsible for serving many of them. A Thanksgiving volunteer for seven years, she met some old-timers and some newcomers at this year's meal.

"This is one of the best times I have all year," Herbst said. "I used to assume that the reason people came was that they couldn't afford to have Thanksgiving dinner somewhere else. Now, I think most come to have someone to eat dinner with."

She has a husband and children herself, but ate with them Wednesday night so she could volunteer.

As Christmas approaches, the Salvation Army will be looking for more volunteers like Herbst. Donations of canned food and new toys also are welcomed.

Through its food basket program about 800 families will receive enough food for a large Christmas dinner, and those with children under 13 will receive toys. Families may apply from 10 a.m. until noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 9.

"Through the holiday season, we will serve about 5,000 people," Trapp said. "That takes in everyone who ate Thanksgiving dinner, those who will benefit from the food baskets and those we will visit in area nursing homes."

Contributions may be sent to: Salvation Army, P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0802. For additional information, call 335-7000.