It’s free for everyone. Co-organizer Kerry MacLane says the event is a remarkable time for bridge-building in the community.

“So there are people that show up who need food — who are hungry. And there are people who are having their second dinner.”

The event is over four-decades old. The Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood also use the occasion to honor their lifetime members: elders who are over 65 years of age, and who have logged 25 years or more of service.

Co-organizer Joy Wood spent a day this week delivering gift baskets to that roster.

“And it was so wonderful listening to some of the stories as we were delivering the baskets, about people who started the dinners 40 years ago. You know and it was just so wonderful to hear the stories and to spend some time with our elders, and we made sure to tell them that we thank them for their service, and for keeping this group going before we got here.”

It’s rumored that Santa will drop by the dinner, around 2:30 PM, and he’ll have a gift for every child there. Doors of the ANB Founders Hall open for the event at 1 PM Christmas Day.

Volunteers have been roasting and baking all week. Wood says, “The whole town comes together to put this on, and it’s been wonderful.”

Downloadable audio.