BELLOWS FALLS — Guests at the Greater Falls Warming Shelter can eat their meals out of bowls made with love thanks to a project of the children of the First Universalist Parish of Chester.
Working with potter Susan Leader, the children created bowls to donate as another in a series of connections they have made with the shelter over the past two years.
Each month, the children help the church prepare a meal for the shelter's guests, and last year they worked with Springfield artist Jamie Townshend to paint a bright mural that greets those arriving at the North Walpole, N.H., location.
According to Meg Minehan, the church's director of religious exploration, the children demonstrate a strong connection to the place.
“Throughout the winter months, we have expressed our gratitude for having a warm, friendly place that we call home. It is something many of us - adults and kids alike - simply take for granted,” she said. “When children stop and think about what it means to not have a home, they immediately want to help out.”
Minehan said the children love helping with the meals and are happy to share the brownies and chocolate cake they make for desserts.
“They feel happy about giving it all away,” she said. “They really want to share something delicious with the shelter guests.”
Greater Falls Warming Shelter, at 23 Church St. in North Walpole, principally serves towns in the Greater Falls area, including Athens, Grafton, Rockingham, North Walpole, Walpole, N.H., and Westminster. The shelter is open November to April from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.