Salvation Army's brunch serves food, goodwill

Cathy Bissell serves food to attendees participating in the Chattanooga Salvation Army's Christmas Eve Brunch on Wednesday. Over 200 attendees were served food and given a backpack of necessities during the holiday event, according to Salvation Army spokeswoman Kimberly George.
Cathy Bissell serves food to attendees participating in the Chattanooga Salvation Army's Christmas Eve Brunch on Wednesday. Over 200 attendees were served food and given a backpack of necessities during the holiday event, according to Salvation Army spokeswoman Kimberly George.

A 32-year-old homeless single mom spends her days battling bipolar disorder while trying to find housing and get her 3-year-old son out of state custody.

But on Christmas Eve, Ashley Wooley took a break from the struggle to eat at the Salvation Army's annual Christmas Eve brunch.

"People are showing that they care and it lets you know there is still hope," she said.

Wooley was among some 300 people who sat down Wednesday to a free breakfast of eggs, roasted potatoes, sausage, biscuits and coffee at the Salvation Army's ReCreate Cafe on McCallie Avenue. The Salvation Army also will serve Christmas dinner at noon today in Cleveland at its facility on West Inman Street. It also will host a Christmas Day candlelight worship service at 8 p.m. in Cleveland today.

"We do this because we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ," said Kimberly George, the Salvation Army's director of marketing and development.

The Salvation Army family invited the community to be guests in Chattanooga and Cleveland. Volunteers are ready to serve, said George on Wednesday.

photo Hundreds of guests eat during a Christmas Eve Brunch at Chattanooga's Salvation Army on Wednesday.

As scores sat down to eat on Wednesday in Chattanooga, Christmas lights decorated the ReCreate Cafe and Santa Claus sat on the stage ready to greet visitors and take pictures.

The aroma of coffee and biscuits seeped from the cafeteria to greet those outside waiting to eat.

Eleven-year-old Matt Luse and younger brother Nick, 8, were among dozens of volunteers scanning the crowd for people who needed more coffee or food.

Other volunteers like 17-year-old Savannah Bruington reminded guests to get gifts before they left.

Every child got a toy. Every adult got a book bag filled with a blanket, socks, toiletries and even gift cards to fast-food eateries.

"It's a good thing going on," yelled Benny Conrad once outside again. "Everything free. It was like friendship. The heart went out."

Some people attending were homeless. Others, like 52-year-old Raymond McGarvey, just wanted a hot meal.

"All my money goes on medicine, trying to pay the rent and utilities," he said. "There's not much else left."

If not for Salvation Army's brunch he would have made peanut butter sandwiches or visited other family members for food, he said.

James R. Bradley, a homeless Vietnam veteran, finished off his eggs and coffee before talking with other guests about the food.

"This is nice," he said. "I like the coffee and the way they treat you."

Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 757-6431.

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