Fardig, Band of Volunteers Cooking for Needy Again on Christmas

Do you know someone who needs a meal on Christmas Day?

Call Judy Fardig of Warren Unit #11 American Legion Auxiliary. She and a band of loyal volunteers will be cooking and delivering ham dinners again on Christmas Day.

“We’ll start cooking around 9 and have all the meals out the door by 11:45 am,” said Fardig. “Then we’ll go home and open our presents and eat our own meal.” 

Fardig expects to distribute approximately 200 meals again this year. She’s been spending her Christmas morning cooking for others for about 28 years.

The meal includes ham, a potato casserole, green beans, gravy, roll and butter, and a couple of desserts. Donations are used to buy the food.

Fardig’s volunteers come from all over the East Bay, including  American Legion Post #104 of Warren, the Warren Association of Vietnam Veterans, and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

They will be giving out the meals in Warren, Bristol, Barrington, Riverside, East Providence and even Central Falls. They prepare the meals at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Warren.

“People are struggling,” said Fardig, the administrative assistant in Warren's public works department. “Many elderly or the disabled or the needy have had their Food Stamps cut. And a couple of Providence churches don’t serve anymore.”

You can contact Fardig at her home number, 245-5431, or call her cell phone, 556-5951.

“We always cook about 10 extra meals,” she said. “There always seems to be somebody who has a friend who needs a meal at the last minute.”