By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

HOOVER – Pieces of handmade pottery lining two tables at a Hannah Home Shelby Auxiliary Fall Luncheon on Oct. 22 garnered much attention from dozens of attendees.

The pieces were made by women in the Prodigal Pottery program at King’s Home in Chelsea, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse, to sell at the luncheon and elsewhere.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds go back to the women and the home,” Prodigal Pottery Director Jamie Ankenbrandt said. “I teach them how to make it and employ them. We pay the women hourly, and they get 10 percent commission off what we sell.”

Prodigal Pottery employs three full-time and four part-time staff members, who make mugs, ornaments and other pieces of pottery.

“Our goal is that it’s a safe and therapeutic environment as well as a working environment,” Ankenbrandt said. “This is a job they can work without a high school or college degree.”

Prodigal Pottery is on Facebook, Etsy and Instagram.

Ankenbrandt said the group hopes to increase its sales moving forward.

“We’re hoping next year we turn more profit to support the home as well,” Ankenbrandt said.

The luncheon, which was held at the home of Alicia and Kirk Cuevas, is one of HHSA’s events designed to foster support for the home.

Gwen Solomon, director of Hannah Home Shelby since January, spoke about the home during the luncheon.

“These events, they benefit the home making sure we have enough linen (for) residents when they come in,” Solomon said. “It also introduces us to the community so more awareness is brought to our ministry.”

Solomon said 24 women and 16 children currently live at the home.

“We’re full,” Solomon said. “King’s Home provides that shelter for our women, and it provides so much more for our ladies.”

Solomon said yearly costs to run the home total $423,987, and expenses for each woman total about $17,600.

Solomon said anyone who donates more than $1,000 to United Way can earmark it for King’s Home.

“I love what I do, and that makes it easy,” she said. “We just thank you for the opportunity to share just a little bit about what’s going on at King’s Home.”

Attendees were asked to bring towels, washcloths and twin bed sheets for the home.

Board member Tamara Moser sang “The Shepherd of My Soul,” and announced the theme for the 2016 Tablescapes event for King’s Home is “In the Potter’s Hand.”

Board member Janie Dollar urged HHSA members to volunteer for various boards, including Bible studies, prayer warriors, publicity, hospitality and Tablescapes.

A table decorating demonstration was provided by Urban Home Market.

“The mission of Hannah Home is to serve and to help and assist,” Dollar said. “Everything that we do in Hannah Home is so important.”