Four women from Bainbridge decided there was a need in their hometown and they could do something about it. They decided, because they were all business owners, they could come together with their unique talents and use them to impact others. The four women are by day photographers, interior designers, caterers and an event planners, but by they double as community volunteers.
Wednesday the women, who make up Queendom Empowerment partnered with local groups like Saving Our Sisters and churches, to hold Thanksgiving Community Give Back at the American Legion building.
More than 75 families were fed a meal and the local Goodwill Industries International, Inc. donated items to be given away to those who attended.
Renotta Burke, LaCora Handsford, Shalanda Bryant, Letitia Fountain and April Bridges coordinated the event.
“What is so powerful is that we are all different and have different talents but we brought them together,” LaCora Handsford said. “That’s what we miss sometimes here is collaboration, that more people can come together and make a difference. They don’t have to be doing the same thing — we all have different talents that we use for events for the community.”
The women have hosted several additional events since they started volunteering in July. They hosted an adult prom as well as a Costumes and Comedy night.
Renotta Burke said she would like to see the community get on board.
“We need support, because these aren’t our businesses that we are promoting this is the community we are trying to improve, so we would like for support and everyone to get involved,” Burke said.
The ladies fed more than 75 families Wednesday before Thanksgiving — more than 130 people — and Burke said it was humbling.
“Its humbling to really see how many in our community are actually hungry,” Burke said.
There were multiple sponsors of the event including the American Legion, Saving Our Daughters, Goodwill Industries, Life Church of Bainbridge, Red Elephant, Landmark Industries, the Hero Foundation and more churches, organizations and local businesses.