NORWICH — The Bandera Family and Community Alliance is bringing their annual free Christmas dinner back to Norwich this year. A sit-down meal will be served from noon to 2 p.m., at the American Legion Post 189 in Norwich on Christmas Day. Deliveries are also available, which begin going out at 9:45 a.m. and will be delivered by noon.

The meal will feature a litany of homemade holiday staples, prepared and served by the Bandera family and volunteers.

"It's turkey and ham. We have stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, corn, homemade gravy. Everything's homemade. Gravy, cookies, desserts, drinks, coffee, tea," said family representative Bill Bandera. "With the deliveries, that whole meal is accompanied by a to-go lunch bag, which includes cranberries, apple sauce, a bag of chips that are donated by Frito Lay ... and then a candy cane and cookies. So you get the meal and the bag."

He added that take-out is also available, and while calling in orders ahead of time is recommended, it is not required.

"If they haven't called in for a delivery, or somehow they weren't able to get through, and they don't feel like sitting down, they can come to the Post without reservations and just take a meal, or take as many meals as they want," said Bandera. "They can come to the Legion, walk through the line, and have a to-go and just take it with them. They don't have to stay to eat if they don't choose to."