MOSES LAKE - Thanks to the culinary arts students at the Columbia Basin Job Corps, numerous people who might not have enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal this year did so last week.

The CBJC students prepared and served the 16th annual community Thanksgiving meal at the Elks Lodge on Nov. 20. More than 250 people attended the meal, and 50 meals were taken to persons who were not able to attend.

The students received a loud round of applause from those in attendance when they lined up at the serving line for a group photo.

The culinary arts students, along with their instructor Theresa Clement, began roasting turkeys at 2 a.m. They roasted 27 turkeys and made all of the side dishes before their guests arrived.

This meal is held in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration, Grant County Developmental Disabilities, Ambitions, Grant Integrated Services, First Choice Services, Service Alternatives and Goodwill to provide hundreds of area residents with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner

Originally planned for people with developmental disabilities, the dinner has grown. It serves the elderly population as well as other individuals and families who may not get to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Job Corps Culinary Arts students gain career training by participating. They have learned to roast and carve poultry, make side dishes for a large group, transport and serve the food while maintaining safe temperatures and safe food handling skills.

"It also gives the students the opportunity to give back to the great community of Moses Lake, which supports them during their career training at Job Corps," Clement said.

Columbia Basin Job Corps offers career training in Office Administration, Cisco, Culinary Arts, Pharmacy Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant with an optional additional certification in Phlebotomy, Carpentry, Plastering, Facilities Maintenance, Painting and Cement Masonry.

Students can earn their GED and their High School Diploma. After completing the basic program students can apply for Advanced Career Training through a partnership with Big Bend Community College while attending Columbia Basin Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center where students can receive their Associates of Arts degree.

Every Job Corps center has an industry advisory council that helps ensure that the career technical training programs offered at the center match local and regional needs. It assures that the curricula of these career technical training programs match the skills local and regional employers are demanding.

Job Corps centers also utilize internships to give students on-the-job experience and to learn directly from employers the skills they need to be successful.