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By NATHAN HOWELL | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – Old Time Pottery is launching an initiative called “Big-Hearted Bins” which will see stores across the country, including the Pelham location, fill bins with essential supplies from the store and its customers to send to assisted living facilities and senior centers.

“With their higher risk of coronavirus complications, many senior community residents have little choice but to shelter-in-place and that has a strong negative impact on their mental health,” said Jason Schmitt, CEO of Old Time Pottery. “We wanted to be able to partner with our customers in these difficult times to bring a ray of hope and help put a smile on their faces.”

Customers who participate in the program will receive an extra discount on their purchases.

The company has partnered with over forty assisted living facilities and senior centers, including several throughout the Shelby County area.

“This campaign provides critical home essentials for community residents temporarily socially distanced from family and friends to protect their health and reduce their risk of contracting coronavirus,” said Lawrence Carroll, publicist. “While also allowing customers to help others in the community already stricken with COVID-19.”

By also partnering with the sewing brand SINGER, who will donate tools, materials and space within select stores, Old Time Pottery will make masks to be donated to health care providers.

“Old Time Pottery will donate the fabric needed to create masks, while SINGER is donating Heavy Duty sewing machines, needles and thread,” said Vice President of Marketing Colby Swann. “Customers who want to help are encouraged to visit their local Old Time Pottery store to participate.”

Customers will be able to come into the stores, while practicing proper social distancing measures, to help make masks. All masks created will be donated to local facilities to assist health care workers.

More information about the programs can be found at Oldtimepottery.com