(Photo by Zachary Meseck)

CHENANGO COUNTY – This year’s Bandera Family Christmas Dinner is going to be different from years past due to the coronavirus, but representatives said they’re still expecting to serve around 1,200 meals during the holidays.

According to Bandera family representative Bill Bandera, in 1989 his family wanted to do something to show their community that they cared, and at that time the Christmas dinner concept was born.

He said this year’s meal will include turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, corn, along with a goody bag of sweets and chips.

Bandera said the Christmas dinner provides individuals with up to eight meals with no questions asked, and that anyone who needs a meal can call to sign up.

“We are definitely going to have the dinner this year,” said Bandera. “The only real change that we’re making is that there will be no sit down dinner this year due to COVID restrictions.”

“There will also be significantly more meal deliveries and meal pickups.”

He said for the past two years there has been a sitdown dinner where families or individuals can come in and sit down with others on Christmas. He added that while that portion of the meal will be missed, he is happy that they’re still able to help people during these challenging times.