ST. CHARLES • On one side of Main Street, city workers wearing green Christmas Traditions t-shirts strung lights and holly and on the other, the ousted Sugar Plum Fairy mingled with her fans.

Laura Coppinger, the actress who portrays the popular festival character, was not in costume, but she was recognizable to the dozens who stopped by to shake her hand or snap a photo with her.

She was at Grandma's Cookies, 401 South Main Street to help kick off the Hunger is a Naughty Word Food Drive, an effort to show moral support for Coppinger and provide food to an area pantry.

Coppinger, 29, was not rehired this year because she cursed, not while she was on the job, but when she went to take a drug test mandated for all city employees. She was told she had broken the code of conduct for actors who participate in the monthlong Christmas Festival.

She went public with her story and says she wants the city to reconsider. So far, city officials have declined to comment. However, St. Charles Mayor Sally Faith is scheduled to make a statement at the city council meeting tonight.

Mike Swart, who started a Facebook page to save the Sugar Plum Fairy's job, organized the food drive to collect sweets as well as traditional food pantry items. By Tuesday, close to 1,700 people had "liked" the Facebook page.

Hundreds of goodies were stacking up inside Grandma's Cookies by early afteroon. Donated items included sugar cookie mix, pudding, apple sauce, peanut butter and soup.

Outside Coppinger was drawing a small crowd. Maybe it was her plum-colored stocking cap or the fact that TV cameras and reporters were swarming round her. Children of all ages were stopping by.

Bernie Kolo, a retiree from Collinsville, said he had read about the fairy's plight and wanted to show his support. He bought some cookies to donate.

"I was at the festival last year, and she was skipping and flapping her wings, and I thought now that's a happy fairy," he said. "She just made you feel good."

As Coppinger stood on the brick sidewalk, one young fan riding by in an SUV seemed to sum up the thoughts of many.

The little girl rolled down her window and yelled: "I love you Sugar Plum Fairy."

Coppinger responded, "Awww. I love you too."