Christmas Day, Inc. is once again serving a free Christmas dinner on Dec. 25. It’s a chance for anyone who might otherwise spend the holiday alone to come out and  enjoy food and fellowship on Christmas Day.

The 17th annual holiday meal, which is catered by La Villetta restaurant, will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at eight locations throughout the area. The meal includes ham, turkey, stuffing, several other side dishes, salad and pie. There will also be prizes and entertainment, including a visit from Santa, at each site.

There is no cost to the meal, but reservations are required. This helps ensure that each location is properly prepared. The intent is to bring together people who would otherwise spend the holiday alone, so carry-outs are not available.

Organizers of the event hope to serve at least 1,500 people this year. If you would like to make a reservation, or volunteer to help, please call (815) 295-1610. Reservations will be accepted until Dec. 23.

The eight locations are:

Bourbonnais:
Central Christian Church
310 NW Main Street
(815) 295-1610

Bradley:
Quality Inn & Suites
800 N. Kinzie Avenue (Rt. 50)
(815) 295-1610

Grant Park:
Community Center
209 W. Dixie Highway
815-465-6531

Kankakee:
Civic Auditorium
8th & W. Charles Street
(815) 295-1610

Lisieux Pastoral Center
371 N. St. Joseph Avenue
815-929-9158

Manteno:
Leo Hassett Center
211 N. Main Street
815-295-1610

Momence:
Community Center
125 W. Gladiolus Street
815-472-2001

St. Anne:
First Baptist Church
(new location this year)
215 W. Sheffield St.
(815) 295-1610

Click here to download a flyer (in both English and Spanish) for more information.

The Dorcas Society of Our Savior Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Momence is holding their annual Chili Supper on Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available.

The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 10, and free for children 5 and under. The church is located at the corner of Second and Pine Streets, one block west of Dixie Highway.

Here are a few upcoming food-related events for your calendar:

• The teen group at St. Patrick’s Church in Kankakee will be serving a breakfast buffet on Oct. 30 from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee. Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $5 for children between the ages of 4 and 10, and free for children younger than 4. The Knights of Columbus is at 187 S. Indiana Ave.
• Beginning Nov. 5, a Winter Farmers’ Market will be held at the Majestic Center in downtown Kankakee on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The winter market will continue every Saturday through Jan. 28, with the exception of Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. The Majestic Center is at 150 N. Schuyler Ave.
• The 43rd annual Sons of Italy Spaghetti Dinner will be Sunday, Nov. 6, from noon to 4 p.m. at Bishop MacNamara High School in Kankakee. The dinner includes salad, bread, spaghetti with meatballs or sausage, dessert and drink. Homemade cookies will be for sale, along with Napoleons and cannolis. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under age 12. Carry outs are also available. Proceeds go to local charities and organizations.
• Turkey for Tots will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Paul’s Place in Kankakee. One hundred turkeys will raffled off, and there will also be draft beer, sandwiches and blackjack. Admission is $10. The annual event, which is organized by the Kankakee Valley Beverage Association, raises money for underprivileged kids.

Here are some upcoming events you might be interested in:

• The men’s group at Asbury United Methodist Church will be holding their annual grilled cheese and chili luncheon on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2.50 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for kids under 6. Families of four or more are $15. Asbury United Methodist Church is at 196 S. Harrison in Kankakee.

• Fran’s on 17 is celebrating their 17th year in business with daily specials all month and an anniversary party on Oct. 29. Lisa Jackson and Shades of Gray will be performing. Call 815-932-6986 for details.

• Also on Oct. 29, Kankakee River North will be holding a murder mystery dinner at 6 p.m. For more information or tickets, call 815-939-1210.

• Zonta of Kankakee County will be holding their annual International Taste on Friday, Nov. 11, at the Quality Inn in Bradley. The event includes numerous wine and food items. I’ll post more details, including the time and ticket prices, closer to the event.

Zonta of Kankakee County will be holding their annual International Taste on Friday, Nov. 11, at the Quality Inn in Bradley. The event includes numerous wine and food items.

Since Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, all vets will receive a special gift.

I’ll post more details, including the time and ticket prices, closer to the event.

The men’s group at Asbury United Methodist Church will be holding their annual grilled cheese and chili luncheon Oct. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $2.50 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for kids under 6. Families of four or more are $15.

Asbury United Methodist Church is at 196 S. Harrison in Kankakee.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clifton will be having its annual Chicken Dinner & Bazaar on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Freshly fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans and cranberries are passed down the tables during this family-style dinner, a tradition since the early 1900s.  The cost is $9 for adults and all carry-outs, $4 for children, and free for those 5 and under. Drinks and desserts are included. Homemade candy is also available for sale.

St. Peter’s is at 450 E. Third Ave.

The fifth annual Half Paddy festival will be held Friday and Saturday at St. Patrick’s Church in Kankakee. Highlights include live music, games, a beer tent and a corned beef dinner.

Festivities kick off Friday at 6 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. On Saturday the food and beer tents open at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The corned beef dinner will be served Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.

For more information, visit halfpaddy.com or call the church at (815) 932-6716. St. Patrick’s is at 428 S. Indiana Ave.

St. John Ev. Lutheran Church in Beecher’s annual Old-Fashioned Church Supper will be Sept. 25 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The home-cooked, family-style dinner includes chicken, ham, salad, mashed potatoes, corn, applesauce and a variety of homemade desserts. Carry-outs are available. There will also be a bake sale.

The cost is $9 for adults, $4 for children in grades K–8, and free for younger children. If you have questions, please call the church office at (708) 946-2561.

St. John is located at 28054 S. Yates in Beecher.

The second annual Taste of Kankakee will be held tomorrow (Friday) from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kankakee Valley Boat Club. The event is part of the kick-off festivities for the Power Boat Nationals boat races, which will be going on all weekend on the Kankakee River. For $15 you can sample offerings from more than a dozen restaurants. It’s a good idea to arrive early, as there are a limited number of tickets and they sold out in an hour last year.