The California Kids Farms Cornerstone Cafe in Rugby will again be hosting a free community Christmas dinner on December 25. This is the second year the cafe has offered this service.

Cafe owners Jim and Rhonda Bachman-Williams and their family decided last year to host the free dinner for those who had nowhere to go or who would be alone on Christmas Day.

“It went very well last year,” Rhonda said. “We discovered there really was a need for something like this in the community.”

The Christmas dinner will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and will feature turkey, ham or roast beef with all the trimmings.

The meal is free of charge; however, a free-will offering will be collected. Last year all the proceeds were given to the local hospice program, and until a few days ago the hospice was to be the recipient this year also.

But the meal will now be a benefit for Heather Uhlenkamp Hjelden of Rugby, who was diagnosed with cancer just this past Wednesday according to Rhonda Bachman-Williams. Heather’s mother, Sherry, is a waitress part-time at the Cornerstone, and her aunt, Diane Bachmeier, is a long-time employee there. Heather and her husband, Nick, are the parents of three young children.

Heather will be undergoing treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., as soon as possible, and the monies donated for the Christmas meal will go for her medical and travel expenses.

“The Christmas dinner is basically a Christmas gift back to the community,” Rhonda said. “But this year a special need came, and it just seemed to be a way to help. People don’t need more gifts, they need more people who care. The meaning of Christmas is sometimes lost, but this is what the spirit of Christmas is all about.”

RSVP is appreciated but not required. The Cornerstone phone number is 776-6528.



Free transportation offered

Souris Basin Transportation is again offering free shuttle service to the cafe for the Christmas dinner. Anyone needing a ride should call 208-0153.

The Cornerstone will deliver meals to those who are physically unable to go to the cafe for their meal. Rhonda said she would appreciate knowing at least a day in advance if someone would like a meal delivered.