Cheers and applause erupted around the Kenai Senior Center’s main dining space on Friday. Director Kathy Romain had just asked the roughly 200 seniors in attendance if they had enjoyed their meal.

They were gathered for the Area Wide Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon, an opportunity to gather and eat in celebration of the holidays. Funding for the meal was donated by Hilcorp Alaska, Romain said, and Hilcorp staff were adorned in green aprons and distributing plates of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, green beans and cranberry sauce. After everyone had time to eat, pumpkin pie was brought out for dessert.

In attendance were Diann and Laura Pond. Laura said she’s brought her mother, Diann, to the luncheon each of the last three years.

Diann said she’s always excited for the “good food,” and that the pie was her favorite part of the meal. She said she used to be on the other side of the production — helping set up and serving meals alongside her grandchildren for the Thanksgiving luncheon. She said she was grateful to the Hilcorp folks who were taking the time to serve the meals this year.

“It’s nice that everybody comes together for the holidays and does something special,” Laura said.

For more information about the Kenai Senior Center or their programming, find “Kenai Senior Center” on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

Representatives of Hilcorp distribute Thanksgiving dinners to seniors at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Victoria Askin, right, distributes Thanksgiving dinners to seniors at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Representatives of Hilcorp distribute Thanksgiving dinners to seniors at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)