Delta Community Thanksgiving Dinner welcomes everyone

The “ber” months are rapidly moving along, and with the end of October comes November and the anticipation of Thanksgiving.

Delta Junction has a long-standing tradition of hosting a Community Thanksgiving Dinner, a gathering that was resurrected several years ago thanks to an unexpected visitor passing through the area.

The young woman was walking the highway with the intention of making her way through California. Along the way, she became enamored with Delta Junction, its welcoming community and its spectacular auroras. Rather than continuing on her journey, she decided to stay in the area for a time and helped bring the Community Thanksgiving Dinner back to life.

The event nearly came to an abrupt end when a food inspector happened to read about the dinner in the local newspaper. Faced with the possibility of cancellation, organizers sought assistance from the Alaska Legislature. Thanks to successful intervention, the dinner was able to proceed as planned.

Originally held at the Delta Community Center, the gathering eventually outgrew the facility. It has since moved to the Delta High School Commons, where organizers also have access to the school's kitchen facilities.

Over the years, various individuals and organizations have stepped forward to coordinate the annual event. Most recently, Summit Church has taken on that responsibility.

Preparations for the 2026 Community Thanksgiving Dinner are well underway, with local churches, community groups, and individuals organizing contributions of casseroles, turkeys, pies, and all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings. Local businesses also lend their support, making this a true community-wide effort.

The dinner is entirely volunteer-run and has provided hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to area residents over the years.

Everyone is welcome, young and old, and there is no charge for the meal. The dinner will be served Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Delta High School Commons.

Those who are able to contribute a dish are welcome to do so, but bringing food is not a requirement. If you are unable to bring something, come anyway! The purpose of the gathering is to bring the community together and make sure everyone has a place at the table.

For additional information or questions, contact Summit Church at 907-202-1376.

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