BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – Bellows Falls Woman’s Club members will gather on Oct. 10 at the United Church, School Street, beginning at 1:30 p.m. A representative of the Women’s Freedom Center will address the members on the mission of this women’s shelter. Club members may bring travel-sized personal care items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and a face cloth, to be donated to the shelter.
At the Sept. 12 opening meeting, members and guests were welcomed and presented with information about Our Place Drop-in Center, the local food pantry and day shelter. David Billings, executive director, cited many statistics regarding the pervasive feeling of food insecurity within our area. The program was part of the club’s response to the General Federation of Women’s Club’s Sept. 30 National Day of Service focusing on hunger and food insecurity. Club members donated bags and boxes of non-perishable food to the Drop-in Center’s “Overflow the Opera House” food and cash drive held on Sept. 21.
At the Sept. 12 meeting, the budget was adopted and a proposed revision of the club by laws was distributed. Members are asked to review the document and to come to the Oct. 10 meeting with suggestions for the revision. Adoption of the bylaws is expected to be held at the Nov. 14 meeting.
Plans for the club year were discussed, including upcoming fundraising activities, all in support of the many community outreach programs of the club. A public pasta supper was held on Sept. 29. On Oct. 14-15, the club will participate at the Flannel Festival, offering cotton candy and candied apples. Club members will hold their annual food sale in conjunction with the Friends of the Walpole Library book sale on Oct. 28, at Walpole Middle School.
The local club is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC-VT will hold its fall meeting in Ludlow, on Oct. 14.