Christmas Friendship Dinner this Saturday

WASILLA— The annual Christmas Friendship Dinner is coming back to the Menard Sports Center in full swing, offering to-go options for homebound and those seeking social distance along with the traditional sit-down eating experience community members have come to know and love for the last three decades.

“We’re doing well. We’re just going for it,” Christmas Friendship Dinner chair, Linda Luberger said.

The Friendship Dinner offers all the classic Christmas food items with a free full course meal and dessert for each guest. Luberger said they’re preparing to serve over 4,000 meals this year. She said all the food comes from local donations, and she’s encouraged by the continued support to make this event happen each year.

“It really is a community thing,” Luberger said.

Last year’s event was limited to a drive-thru-only model. Luberger said there are three options this year. There will be delivery drivers bringing meals to homebound residents, a pickup option for people that are social distancing, and the classic sit-down experience with plenty of opportunities for social interaction. She said it’s not just about the food.

“Of course, it’s a good hot meal, but the main thing is friendship. It’s a real sense of family. Whether you’re volunteering or coming as a guest you feel like family around here,” Luberger said.

The Friendship Dinner is operated by the Christmas Friendship Dinner steering committee, an independently operating group of community-minded volunteers. Luberger said they recently submitted the paperwork to become an official 501 ©(3) nonprofit organization. She said that she’s been involved for over 12 years and she’s inspired by volunteers who step up to meet the ever-growing demand and keep the mission moving onward and upward.

“I came and I was hooked,” Luberger said. “It’s just an awesome feeling working with volunteers who want to help the community.”

The Christmas Friendship Dinner takes place Saturday, Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Luberger said that volunteers will be setting up for the event inside the Menard Thursday evening. She said they can always use volunteers.

“We’re kind of short this year, but a lot of people come just the day before and say, ‘what can I do?’ It always works out. God always provides. We just roll with the punches,” Luberger said.

For more information about volunteering or signing up for meal delivery, visit christmasfriendshipdinner.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com