Chapter Offers Free Dinner for Las Cruces Area Veterans

AARP New Mexico and the Las Cruces AARP Chapter is inviting all veterans to a free spaghetti dinner Wednesday, June 14, in honor of Flag Day.  The dinner will be held at El Caldito Soup Kitchen at 999 West Amador, starting at 5:30 p.m.

“This is our second dinner we are providing to our veterans in the past 8 months,” said Abel Chavarria, AARP Las Cruces Chapter board member and event coordinator. “We are working at providing two veterans’ events each year. We hope the next event will take place in November to coincide with Veterans Day.”

Volunteers served the last dinner to a capacity crowd in mid-November 2022, in honor of Veterans Day.  Several chapter members visited with veterans during the meal, learning more about them and their experiences. It was the first in-person veterans’ activity since the pandemic.

“Our members always look for ways to honor our veterans. The dinner last November was served to a full house,” said AARP New Mexico State President Dave Lynch, who also serves as the Las Cruces Chapter president. “Our veterans and their families give up so much in service to our country, we just want to do something to let them know they are appreciated.” 

AARP New Mexico is sponsoring the June event and donating the food and other associated items. The local chapter will be setting up the room, cooking the meal -- under the direction of the local chef --serving and cleaning up after the event.

Chavarria said, “We can always find volunteers to help at veterans’ events. We understand the need and are proud to provide resources and events for our veterans.”

To learn more about the resources AARP has for veterans and their families visit https://www.aarp.org/home-family/voices/veterans/