NORWICH – Organizers for the first Bandera Family Free Christmas Dinner in Norwich are looking for volunteers and drivers to assist during set time slots on December 21, 22, 23 and 25.

Since 1989 the Bandera family has served and delivered free homemade meals on Christmas day in Binghamton and Endicott. This year for the first time, they're bringing the free dinner to the Norwich American Legion.

"The response from the community has been so amazing," said Norwich Volunteer Coordinator Brianna Curley. "Everyone is so willing and excited to help. It's been such a refreshing experience to see people come together and make this event happen. It really makes me love our little community that much more and reminds me why I love living here."

Curley said the dinner is currently in need of servers, bussers, dishwashers, dessert and drink table helpers, line servers, table setters, volunteers for clean-up, and delivery drivers. Volunteers can let organizers know if there is an area where they feel they would excel or be more comfortable in helping.

"A lot of the work that we will be doing is prep work for cooking the actual dinner, but I would love people to also know that it's definitely a family friendly event," said Curley. "We are also delivering meals to people who are unable to get to the American Legion, so we really need volunteer drivers to deliver meals."

The Norwich dinner already has 60 meals that need to be delivered Christmas morning, Curley said. She added that delivering meals can be the perfect volunteering opportunity for families as they can be together in the car while supporting a good cause.

If you are interested in volunteering, email BanderaChristmas@gmail.com or call (607) 231-0706 and leave a message about the Norwich dinner. If you are unable to volunteer but would still like to support the event, organizers say they can always use donations of cakes, cookies, and pies.