FARMINGTON – A private, nonprofit shelter for victims of domestic violence, House of Peace, will hold a benefit meal and entertainment Saturday to help with bills over the difficult winter.

A ham and turkey dinner and local entertainment will be offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church. An auction with items donated by businesses in the Farmington and Rumford areas will begin at 7:30 p.m. with auctioneer Jeff Harris, said Sharon Walker, who runs the shelter.

Although connected with some churches, the house is independent and depends on private donations, she said.

After the meal, singers Sammie Angel of Dixfield and Tammy Schmersal of Mexico and Terry Moore, who has a bluegrass band, will perform, she said.

After years of domestic abuse herself, Walker feels a calling from God to provide shelter for others. There’s a stigma on abused women, she said. She believes God has called her to be a voice for them as she said she has spoken at churches.

The shelter has room to house three women and children during the winter and four in the summer and takes care of all their meals, she said. Her pastor provides for the mortgage and another church gives a monthly donation but otherwise, funding comes from her husband, Ted Walker, an out-of-work chain saw carver.

“I couldn’t do what I do without him,” she said. The Walkers will prepare the meal themselves.

Electricity and oil bills have risen this winter, she said. The house provides shelter for women in Franklin and Oxford counties, although there have been some from other states who found refuge with her. She believes they were referred through churches and the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The house is full most of the time, with most staying 90 days, but there are exceptions, she said.

The public is welcome to attend Saturday’s benefit at $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.