Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-18-20

12 I NEWS I
November 18, 2020
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
COVID-19 won’t stop the annual Brass Rail Thanksgiving Dinner
The local restaurant and its army of volunteers will once again feed thousands
By KATE UPTERGROVE
For sevens years, Scott Ellinger, chef/
owner of the Brass Rail in O’Fallon, has
provided Thanksgiving dinner to families
who otherwise might not have the
means to celebrate with a traditional
feast – and not just a few families.
Ellinger and his crew of staff and volunteers
feed thousands of area residents.
“We started it honestly because we were
getting some requests from local elementary
schools to help out with the backpack
program for kids who don’t have a
lot of food over the weekend,” Ellinger
explained. “So I had a couple of those
conversations and realized that there was a
much greater need right around the restaurant
than any of us thought.
“I thought if these families don’t have
food for the weekend, they certainly don’t
have Thanksgiving dinner. So, the first
year we fed like 110 people just to see if
we could pull it off.”
That first 100 in year one grew to
1,000 in year two. “And then 3,000, and
then 7,000,” Ellinger said. “Last year,
we served 11,000.”
Deliveries begin leaving the restaurant
at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Turkey,
mashed potatoes, gravy – all the things
the make Thanksgiving memorable are
packed by volunteers into banker’s boxes
and delivered to area homes by volunteer
drivers.
“Last year, we had the Highway Patrol
blocking part of Hwy. K because the cars
were lined up so far up Hwy. K – just
for the opportunity to deliver meals on
Thanksgiving Day – that we were blocking
traffic,” Ellinger said.
Cindy Lawson, who with her husband,
try to volunteer every year, said, “It’s
amazing to see the long line of cars wraparound
the building at 8 a.m. waiting to
pick up meals and deliver them. Scott has
created a landmark event that really brings
out the best in people!”
Ellinger witnessed first hand how the
event has changed lives.
“People come back from the deliveries
changed just a little bit,” he said. “They
see these people who are struggling, and
the volunteers are so thankful that they’re
able to help out. It’s just amazing to watch.
Some of the families who deliver on
Thanksgiving adopt those same families at
Christmas and, on their own, drop off toys
and food. Boy, that is just amazing to me!
“The people who receive these meals
are truly thankful for them and so many
times send back these beautifully written
letters or thank you notes from little kids
written in crayon. That’s the best part of
all.”
The Brass Rail Thanksgiving Dinner
operates independent of area food pantries.
“They do such incredible work the rest of
the year, we try to give them a break on
this one day,” Ellinger said.
COVID-19 has forced the event to
change a bit in 2020. The restaurant had
hoped to deliver 15,000 meals this year,
but with the pandemic it has had to limit
its efforts to keep its volunteers and families
safe.
“Our goal is 3,500 meals this year,”
Ellinger said.
While he has plenty of volunteers to
cook, pack and deliver the meals, Ellinger
said he needs standard size banker boxes
in which to the pack the meals.
“People can also go to our website,
BrassRail1.com, and make a donation
Scott Ellinger, chef/owner of The Brass Rail
in O’Fallon, prepares to feed thousands on
Thanksgiving Day. (Source: Facebook/Brass Rail)
either through our website or through
PayPal,” he said. “Those are very welcomed
and needed.”
Welcome Dr. Kevin Enger, board-certified urologist.
Kevin Enger, MD
SSM Health Medical Group is growing to better serve our community. Join us in
welcoming Kevin T. Enger, MD, with over 17 years of experience, who specializes
in urologic surgery and female urology.
Dr. Enger treats patients ages 18 and older focusing on urologic concerns including:
• Minimally-invasive therapies and surgery • General urology
• Laparoscopy
• Female incontinence
• Endourology
• Neurourologic disorders
SSM Health Medical Group
400 First Capitol Drive, Suite 301 | St. Charles, MO 63301
For more information or to schedule an appointment visit
ssmhealth.com/KevinEngerMD or call 636-669-3080.
All of our hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other facilities have implemented enhanced safety measures. These include
requiring all individuals to be screened for symptoms and requiring face masks for all upon entry. This will ensure you
and your family are protected every step of the way.
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