The Selma-Dallas County Public Library is offering the community a chance to learn ways to be frugal and to eat better in the process.

The four-month series, “Home Skills” will teach those who attend how to make food from scratch, garden from containers and shop smart at the grocery store.

“[The series] will bring members of the community into the library and to offer something for life improvement, skills that people can use and learn,” said Gabe Norton, organizer of the series and instructor of the first class.  “I’ve met a lot of people and made a lot of friends because of these discussions that I’ve had like making the homemade cleaners or learning how to cook from scratch.”

The classes will be held the first Friday of each month starting this Friday at 11 a.m. in the Vaughan Room at the library through Friday, April 7.

“We’re always excited to give people better ideas on how to live with more choices, that always excites us whether we’re presenting an author with a book or a program on shopping or a program on food,” said Becky Nichols, library director. “It’s about giving people more choices for a better life. That’s what libraries are all about.”

The first class will focus on making food from scratch and benefits of eating at home.

“This Friday we’re doing one on making food from scratch. How we can use our pantry staples to save money and eat healthier,” Norton said. “Things that you might just buy off the shelf, but that can be made cheaper and healthier in your home.”

Norton said she will go over things like how to make your own seasonings, chicken broth and alfredo sauce.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Norton said. “I’m looking forward to me teaching this class, but I’m really looking forward to the other classes.”

In February, Laura Spencer from Spencer Farm will have a class on homemade mineral makeup.

March will be a class on container gardening, and, in April, Doris Butler Truax will talk about how to make the most of a trip to the grocery store.

“Just because you don’t have a lot of money to spend on groceries doesn’t mean you have to eat processed foods,” Norton said.

All of the classes are free to the public, but those interested are asked to call 874-1725 and reserve a seat.