Free 'Community Christmas Dinner' Returns to Temecula Valley: Local Rotary Clubs, City Offer Meals

TEMECULA, CA – The twenty plus year tradition of the annual Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas day will continue! Three Rotary clubs (Temecula Sunrise Rotary, noon Rotary Club, and the New Generations Club), along with the City of Temecula, are serving a fully cooked meal of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and dessert.

It is served absolutely free to anyone who shows up at the Mary Phillips Senior Center in Old Town Temecula at 41845 Sixth Street between 11 am and 4 p.m. on Christmas Day.

“The Community Christmas Dinner is a very important tradition in Temecula,” said Johnny Roberts, president of the Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club. “This is not a soup kitchen for the unfortunate, though everyone is welcome. This is for anyone who wants a place to go on Christmas Day. It is a simple concept that touches people throughout our community.”

It is the holiday spirit that is important. There is a warm atmosphere filled with laughter and stories from the past years that go on at each table. We even have Santa Claus passing out presents to the kids and getting their picture taken with Santa. Tips are refused but hugs and handshakes are always welcome.

Each year hundreds of volunteers work in various capacities to make the event work. One of them is the call for pies. When word is sent out that there is a need for pies, the community responds. Each year 200 to 250 pies are donated. If you would like to donate a pie, call (951) 265-8557.

Christmas is a special time of year. Make it extra special and join us for a great meal at no cost. Remember, everyone is welcome. There are no conditions or requirements. Just show up and share some joy with your community.

To volunteer, call Julie Ngo at (619) 246-0489. If you would like to give a tax deductible donation, you can donate online at https://squareup.com/store/Community-Christmas-Dinner or send a check made payable to “Community Christmas Dinner” and mail it to P. O. Box 2203, Temecula, CA 92593.

– SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: Rotary Club of Temecula Sunrise / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone