Christmas dinner is good deed 15 times over
Free holiday feast is tradition of friendship and compassion
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE — Bob and Michelle Sobieski want to make sure no one goes hungry and no one is alone for the holidays.

The Sobieskis and the ministry of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church will hold their 15th annual Christmas Friendship Dinner between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. in the Father Milos Parish Hall at the church on Port Reading Avenue Dec. 25.

“We want people to know that we are here for them,” Bob Sobieski said. “Anybody who is alone and has no place to go can share some friendship and a free hot meal with us.”

Sobieski stressed that anybody can attend the Christmas Day event, regardless of faith or creed.

“It doesn’t matter what religion a person is,” he said. “This is for everyone, and it’s free.”

Over the 15 years, Bob Sobieski and his kitchen staff — Don Hoen, Tom Coleman and Frank Fiorito — have made dinners for members of the community, at least 200 every year.

“We served approximately 150 people, mostly seniors but families too, and sent out 55 dinners last year,” he said. “We always have familiar faces and some new faces.”

This year, Sobieski already knows that 55 dinners need to be made for pickup.

“Other congregations pick up dinners to deliver to people in their area,” he said.

Sobieski said the volunteers have been essential to the success of the dinner.

“Over the years, I have had people come up from the Jersey Shore, Toms River and Sayreville to volunteer,” he said. “My wife decorates the hall for the event. This year, I had a father call and he asked if he could volunteer with his two young sons to show them that this is a good deed. People are willing to give up their free time to help, but it’s time well spent. We appreciate doing what we can do.”

The Christmas Friendship Dinner started in 1991 as an idea by former Port Reading residents Jerry and Alice Marrone.

“They had seen a similar event done in Asbury Park,” Bob said. “My daughter, Lisa, was the president of the youth ministry at the church and told me that Jerry and Alice needed help setting up the event.”

Sobieski, who was a Woodbridge Township councilman at the time, said he liked the idea and got involved.

“Jerry and Alice, who have since moved to North Carolina, got the dinner event rolling,” he said. “Then when they moved seven years ago, my wife and I picked up the event. The Marrones surprised us three years ago by coming to the dinner because they said they missed it so much.”

The Christmas dinner is sponsored by the ministry of St. Anthony of Padua Church, which has received generous donations from the Fire Department union and a few local businesses.

There is no charge for the dinner. Those who would like to attend or volunteer should call Bob and Michelle Sobieski at (732) 636-1124 or the parish office at (732) 634-1403.

Local transportation may be available.