Bags of love

Full Article

Bags of love

By Lashawnda K. Becoats – December 18, 2008

Font Size:

Share:

Style Essentials is a personal grooming column for African Americans featuring advice and product reviews to keep you looking and feeling good.

I own more designer handbags than I can possibly wear. I’ll purchase one because it’s stylish or it matches an outfit or shoes. I’ll add another because I think I need it, even though I have 20 in my closet.

My latest bag -- friends affectionately call it “luggage” because of its size -- is filled with my stuff, and I love it.

I know that having more than one is a luxury, so I’m donating some to charity.

Charity Bags of Love is collecting 100 new or gently used bags containing toiletries. All collected bags will be donated to the Center of Hope Women & Children’s Shelter, 534 Spratt St., Charlotte.

Letha Taylor, who founded the charity, will deliver the bags during a Jan. 2 luncheon at the shelter.

Taylor was inspired to start Charity Bags of Love after seeing homeless women in Charlotte with everything they own stuffed inside plastic shopping bags.

“I was about two steps from being homeless this year,” Taylor said. “I always had a passion to help the homeless. This was a test of my faith. With God’s grace and mercy and the love, support and generosity of friends and family, I didn’t have to turn to the streets or a shelter”.

Charity Bags of Love also is accepting backpacks and gym bags with toiletries for men. To donate, take your bag to a drop-off location before Dec. 29. Donated bags also may be taken to the center until the day of the luncheon.

To find a drop-off location, call (704) 301-7162 or email lethabagsoflove@yahoo.com.

It’s a feel-good reason to clean out your closet and give to a worthy cause this holiday season.

(Lashawnda K. Becoats is a lifestyle consultant and owner of La Concierge in Charlotte, N.C. Email her at la@concierge.la. Read her column here each Thursday, only on Qcitymetro.)