Free Community Christmas Dinners in the Southern Tier

Christmas is a time to gather and share. Sometimes a person doesn't have family to do that with, but that is when generous organizations step in and give those without the chance to create a new family.

I mentioned this around Thanksgiving, but my Uncle Bill is alone in Florida now that my Grammy passed. For a couple years, he spent the holidays serving food for community dinners. This year, he is hosting a dinner for friends who have no one to be with during Christmas.

We are lucky in the Southern Tier to have some wonderful people who want to make Christmas easier for those who have it tough, for a variety of reasons.

The Bandera Family has been opening their hearts and American Legion post 80 for 24 years. And this year, they are expanding their annual dinner to the Boys and Girls Club on Clubhouse Road in Endicott.

The River Club of Afton is in its second year of offering a free Christmas buffet to area residents.There are other community Christmas dinners, too. The listing is below.

It takes many volunteers and good leadership to pull these events off. Thank you to all who open their hearts so these dinners are possible.

COMMUNITY DINNERS:

Bandera Family Dinner. American Legion Post 80 at 76 Main Street in Binghamton and the Boys and Girls Club in Endicott. Serving beginning at 3 pm Christmas Day.

River Club of Afton:12pm-2:30pm on Christmas day. If you cannot get out of the house, delivery is possible if you live within 10 miles of Afton. Call 606-639-3060.

Community Christmas dinner at Montrose Senior Center. Served on Christmas day starting at noon at Montrose Square Community Room.

Owego United Methodist Church, 261 Main Street in Owego. Christmas day from 11 am to 2 pm. Activities as well.

Elmira Community Kitchen Christmas dinner: 2pm-3pm on Christmas day at the Saints Peter and Paul Church community center, 160 High Street. Events held before the meal beginning at 1:30 pm.

In Broome County, you can always dial 2-1-1 for more community information.