Clare Jacobson, of Pendleton, savors her meal Dec. 20, 2023, at the Blue Mountain Community College holiday dinner. “I know people in this community. Seeing family and friends here together eating a meal is nice,” Jacobson said.

PENDLETON — It takes a lot of food and a lot of help to make a holiday meal happen, and that’s just what Blue Mountain Community College was up to Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The school in Pendletonn threw open the doors 4-6 p.m. for all who wanted to enjoy a turkey dinner as guests of the college and no one would be turned away.

However, it took several years for the hospitality to get back on course.

“It hasn’t been done since 2018 or 2019, prepandemic,” said John Glidewell, Associated Student Government president. “It was once quite a large event. I believe one of the largest served somewhere around 1,400 people.”

Glidewell said after trying out the meal at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds, it was time to bring it back home.

“We thought we’d bring it back up here to the original site up at the college,” Glidewell said, “for more of the original intent to provide a meal for those that are in need or just to say thank you to our community.”

The dinner was scaled back this year as the planners were expecting no more than 800 diners for the event, which is now in its 50th year.

That reduced number of dinner guests still requires laying in quite a spread.

“The college provided all of the food, but I know there were 52 turkeys,” said Kayla Henshaw, the junior partner in Eden’s Kitchen, which she and her mother, Lisa Hamilton, operate at the school. “Shana sliced every single one because she wouldn’t trade anybody out. So yesterday she sliced for about seven hours straight.”

Shana Sims is the staff of one to operate food service at the college.

Of course, there were all of the fixin’s.

“Each bag of the mashed potatoes is 103 servings and we did 12 bags,” Henshaw said.

That must total 1,236 servings. More than enough.

“I’m traumatized,” Henshaw said. “That’s my favorite food and I don’t ever want to make them ever again.”

Henshaw said the college bought about 30 of the large #10 cans of green beans and about as many cans of cranberry jelly.

And the stuffing?

“I can’t remember how many bags of stuffing, but about 12,” Henshaw said. “but they were the ones that have 130 servings per bag.”

Sounds like enough stuffing for 1,560 people.

There must be gravy.

“There were several gallons,” Henshaw said. “Lots of gravy.”

Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution provided the piles of of rolls and hundreds of cookies.

All that makes a meal.

Someone has to keep the kitchen running smoothly, given all that cuisine. Henshaw said the routine was worked out for moving trays of food between various ovens and out to the serving line.

The leftovers from the meal went to the Pendleton Warming Station.

“We already called ahead and had it accepted and everything,” Henshaw said.

Those who might have trouble getting to the banquet could ride a shuttle service and the crew was ready to deliver meals where they were wanted. Folks began trickling in just before the 4 p.m. start time.

One couple liked the timing of the meal.

“I think it’s good,” said Christina Williams of Pendleton, “because we’re going to be leaving on Dec. 23. We’re going up to Albany, Oregon, for Christmas.”

Sisters and Pendleton residents Jennie and Diana Olivera also arrived early.

Jennie Olivera said she does cook the whole bird at home. She likes the company of family and friends in her home and even the turkey sandwiches made from the leftovers.

Diana said it’s not a bad idea to have Christmas start a few days early.

“I think it’s great because this one is close to Christmas Day,” Diana Olivera said. “It might be a little too overwhelming for everybody because everybody’s out in the streets trying to get things together. I just like family things and being together.”

Gerald Thomas and Clare Jacobsen, both of Pendleton, have been “seeing each other” for two years now, and the early Christmas dining is perfectly okay with them.

“We’re happy with it,” Thomas said, “and we’re happy to be here.”

Thomas said the college’s decision to host the dinner is a good thing for the community.

“I’ve been doing this for over a decade and I think it’s wonderful,” Thomas said. “It’s nice to have that community feeling where everyone gets together for a good cause. There’s too much negativity in America right now, so it’s nice to see everyone here for the right reason, everyday fellowship and a celebration of life.”