Bento magazine brings you its second issue, the Shape of Home. The issue is now shipping in India and will begin shipping in North America from next week. This issue is an ode to all things, sounds, smells, and feels of home. We are excited for you to see Bento. Let us know how you feel by dropping a note!

No matter where you live, creating spaces of belonging takes intentional effort and our writers and students talk about place-making. This issue of Bento magazine has wonderful stories from noted writers like Moti Lal Saqi (translated by Suvir Kaul), Deepa Agarwal, Marzeih Abbas, Santhini Govindan, and many more talented writers and illustrators.

Peerbagh is here to build an organization and a space to make a third space for our communities. Thank you to the Bento members in 45 cities who have joined us on this journey. In 2025, we are excited to bring more programming for our members.

• All members will get access to FREE monthly storytelling workshops. The first one in this year begins on Jan 20th (MLK day) on the theme of place-making. RSVP is required here. You will meet Bento artists Ira, Shubhshree, and Chandrima. And create some art together!
• Our student reporters get free access to storytelling workshops. We are recruiting for the 2025 student cohort now. Join us!
• With support from the Michigan Community Service Mission, we are inviting children and student volunteers from Michigan to join us for our Bento StoryLab on MLK day. RSVP is required here. Volunteers will also have the option of recording audio stories based on prompts. Your responses may be published in the third Bento issue in April 2025!

We hope that you feel a sense of home with Bento and Peerbagh. We’re always eager to learn about our community. Please reach us with your questions! To support our work, consider joining as a Bento member.