Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Need a free holiday meal in South Bend today?
Be sure to catch Candlelight: Rings and Dragons on the South Bend Patch calendar
Good day South Bend! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Need a free holiday meal in South Bend today?
- How the South Bend Cubs are helping fill local pantry shelves
- How to get a free safe ride home in South Bend
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Rings and Dragons.
Find out what's happening in South Bendfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in South Bendfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Windy with rain, with a high of 47 and low of 20 degrees.
- Friday: A snow shower in the morning, temps: high: 25, low: 22.
- Saturday: Cloudy; breezy, not as cold, with a high of 41 and low of 23 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. South Bend hosts free holiday meal pick-up at Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center (wndu.com) — South Bend families can pick up free holiday meals today from 4–6 p.m. at the Charles Black Community Center, after 200 dinners were already given out at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center. City partners say the effort helps residents facing high grocery prices and continues a month of outreach, including a coat giveaway and other inclusive community events at the Dream Center. 
2. Community partnership with the South Bend Cubs brings pork to families in need across Indiana (brownfieldagnews.com) — A new partnership between Indiana Pork and the South Bend Cubs is helping stock the Food Bank of Northern Indiana with more than 2,000 ground pork meals, directly supporting local families. Pork producers say protein is one of the most requested items at pantries and pledge to keep donating meat and money to help neighbors in need.
3. AAA Offers ‘Tow to Go' During Year-End Holidays to Prevent Impaired Driving (aaa.com) — If your holiday plans in South Bend include drinking, AAA’s free “Tow to Go” program will offer rides and tows for impaired drivers within 10 miles between December 24 and January 2. The service, open to members and non-members, aims to reduce drunk driving deaths and is also available in Fort Wayne and several other states.
4. 'Bears in the Air' delivers more than 2,000 teddy bears to kids at area hospitals (wsbt.com) — Young patients at South Bend and other area hospitals are receiving some extra comfort this season thanks to 2,600 teddy bears from the long-running “Bears in the Air” program. Hospital staff say the stuffed animals help break the ice during admissions and will be shared with children throughout the year, not just at the holidays.
5. Pete Buttigieg to deliver 2026 Kenner Lecture on Cultural Understanding (thebrownandwhite.com) — South Bend’s former mayor Pete Buttigieg will headline Lehigh University’s 2026 Kenner Lecture on Cultural Understanding, drawing on his experience leading this city and serving as U.S. transportation secretary. He’ll speak March 3, 2026, about civility and navigating political polarization, highlighting how his South Bend leadership informs his national perspective.
📸 Around South Bend
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🗓 Upcoming Events in South Bend
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Candlelight: Rings and Dragons
South Bend Scottish Rite 427 North Main Street South Bend, Indiana 46601
6:30 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
South Bend Scottish Rite , 427 N Main St , South Bend
8:45 pm - The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - South Bend, IN
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel South Bend , 123 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd , South Bend
7:00 pm
Friday December 19
Friday December 26
📣 South Bend Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Plat Committee Meeting
St. Joseph County, IN Calendar , 227 W. Jefferson Blvd , South Bend
8:30 am - Quickbooks Level 1 (2 of 2 sessions) — Nappanee Chamber of Commerce
Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce , 302 W Market St , Nappanee
5:30 pm - Beardsley - Polar Express Holiday Celebration
Beardsley Elementary School , 1027 McPherson St , Elkhart
5:30 pm - South Side Holiday Program
BPAC
6:30 pm - December Pop-Up Lunch
Wooden Peel , 108 W Plymouth St , Bremen
10:30 am - Craig Turner at Mishawaka Public House
Mishawaka Public House , 330 Ironworks Ave , Mishawaka
6:00 pm - A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL
Round Barn Theatre at the Barns at Nappanee , 1600 W Market St , Nappanee
7:00 pm - Santa Brunch at Bar Louie
Bar Louie - Granger , 7320 Aspect Dr , Mishawaka
11:00 am - Luminary Walk at the Res
The Mishawaka Res , 13950 Scout Lane , Mishawaka
6:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- La Casa de Amistad Receives $25,000 Grant from Comcast to Advance Digital Opportunity in Michiana —Teddy Bailey Read on Patch
- I just want to say something very positive and heartwarming.
My mom and I were at the target store today to do a little Christmas shopping and when we were at the checkout lane, I started talking to the lady in… (Nextdoor Miami Village) - I am giving away all 4 tv's neighbors!
If you are in need please dm me so we can make arrangementsfor pick up. ! First come first served. (Nextdoor River Park)
- Cintas Corporation posted a job opening for Warehouse Associate - Loader/Unloader - Split Shift - $18.50/Hour in South Bend. Apply here.
- Trilogy Health Services posted a job opening for Housekeeping & Laundry Assistant in South Bend. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near South Bend here.
Ok South Bend! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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