VOLUNTEERS FLOCK TO SHARE THANKS WITH COMMUNITY

It's rare when a community event has too many volunteers.

But such was the case Thursday as the Salvation Army hosted its 11th annual community Thanksgiving dinner at 701 Good Hope in Cape Girardeau.

"We always have a good turnout of people who want to help," said Capt. Elmer Trapp of the Salvation Army. "We had so many volunteers that there wasn't enough for them to do."

And it wasn't because there weren't people enjoying the free Thanksgiving dinner. The meal included turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and pie.

Trapp estimated the Salvation army served about 450 people Thursday, including 125 meals that were delivered to shut-ins. He estimated more than 50 volunteers showed up to lend a hand.

Thursday's cold, wet weather didn't deter people from enjoying the meal and fellowship at the Salvation Army.

"It's really a variety of folks who come," said Trapp. "It might be the senior-citizen couple with nobody at home. Some folks, for whatever reason, might decide that morning, `Let's go to the Salvation Army for dinner.' There are others who make it a tradition, and we see them here every year.

"Of course, there are a lot of people who, if it weren't for this meal, they would have no Thanksgiving dinner."

Trapp said some of the volunteers who helped serve the meal Thursday also aided the Salvation Army with their flood-relief efforts this summer.

Others were people who were helped by the Salvation Army during the floods and wanted to return the favor.

Still other volunteers, like some of the people who accepted their generosity, have made it an annual tradition -- people such as "the gravy lady," Vera Wagner.

Wagner, who lives in Jackson, was there during the first Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner when it was held at the Salvation Army building on Broadway. She hasn't missed one since.

"It pleases my daughters that I have something to do and some place to go on Thanksgiving," Wagner said. "But it also pleases me to help the community."

Trapp said that it's only through the support of the community that the Salvation Army is able to hold the annual event.

He said those who share the event go away with much more than a full stomach.

"I think the real satisfaction comes from knowing there's a need for this in the community," Trapp said. "When needs are met -- if a person needs a meal or they're lonely, whatever it may be -- the meal means a lot more than just the food.

"It's a feeling that I did something for someone else, I think, that really is what most people point to as gratifying."

Trapp said the Salvation Army also began Monday accepting applications for its Christmas assistance program. The organization will provide needy families with a Christmas meal, toys for children, and a voucher to exchange for clothing at the Salvation Army thrift store. Applications will be accepting until Dec. 15.

As in Cape Girardeau, thousands of families on both sides of the Mississippi River took a break from rebuilding their flood-ravaged homes Thursday to visit local dining halls or pick up baskets of free food.

Groups ranging from the Salvation Army to local churches prepared for heavy crowds of flood victims to take advantage of free Thanksgiving meals.

The Salvation Army in St. Louis was prepared to serve meals to 1,500 people at two of its city locations. Typically, the locations serve just under 1,000 meals daily, spokesman Laura Cook said.

The organization also plans to distribute several hundred turkeys to flooded-out families in West Alton, she said.

"It's a great lesson on Thanksgiving," Cook said. "It really makes you appreciate what you have."