Thanksgiving meal to return with changes
After a year's hiatus, the traditional Thanksgiving student dinner is scheduled to return on Nov. 17. However, it will not look exactly the same as it has in the past. Students do not need reservations to attend, and the dinner will be served buffet-style in Guild Hall at SJU.
Preparations for the annual Thanksgiving dinner are in full swing at SJU. The meal will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 17, in Guild Hall from 4:30 to 7:15 p.m.
No reservations are needed, and all students are invited to attend.
The meal will feature traditional Thanksgiving dishes including turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.
The dinner will match the usual meal plan. First-years and sophomores will be able to use their unlimited plan, while upperclassmen will use a punch.
“The event brings the CSB/SJU community together, especially toward the holiday season,” SJU junior Matt Anderson said. “Even though we all do our separate clubs, activities, sports and academics, at the end of the day we are Bennies and Johnnies who share a meal together.”
It is also an opportunity for out-of-state students to celebrate the holiday if they are unable to go home over the break.
“In past years, I haven’t been able to go home for Thanksgiving,” said Julia Beck, a CSB senior from Alaska. “The dinner has been another opportunity to be with people I love the most, like my friends and teammates.”
Typically, the meal is hosted in the Great Hall and the Refectory. However, with expected increased attendance, it has been moved to Guild Hall. One-hundred fifty seats have been added to account for more students.
A photo booth will also be available outside during the event. Other changes include the transition from a family-style meal to a buffet.
Given less staff within dining services, the hands-on nature of table service would have been difficult, according to Janet Despard, head of SJU Dining Services.
“We have a great team, but need a few more employees, which seems to be the case almost everywhere. We appreciate the help the monastery provides every year,” Despard said.
It has also presented planning challenges for the department. Without reservations, it is difficult to predict attendance.
“We don’t want to run out of pumpkin pie,” Despard said.
Only half the student body will have attended the event before. The dinner has been hosted annually but was canceled due to COVID last year.
“I’m excited to be there in person because I’ve always seen pictures of all the upperclassmen dressed up,” CSB sophomore Greta Lieser said. “I think this will be a great opportunity to be with all my friends in one place. We haven’t had something like that in a long time.”
Those working in dining services aim to make that goal a reality.
“When we started planning, we wanted to make sure that this is a memorable event where students can get together with friends,” Despard said. “Those connections, along with a delicious meal, are really at the heart of what we are trying to do.”
