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Alexandria Women for Good Serve Up Comfort and Community

Local Giving Circle Nourishes Both Stomachs and Spirits in Alexandria

AWFG volunteers are ready to serve.
Dinner’s ready! AWFG members (l to r) Laura Herron, Lisa Jacobs, Jane Collins, and Laura Turner serve up comfort food at the Carpenter’s Shelter. Photo courtesy of Laura Turner.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – It was the perfect blend of heart and home-cooked goodness when Alexandria Women for Good (AWFG) served dinner at the Alexandria Community Shelter (managed by the Carpenter’s Shelter) on Tuesday, September 23.

AWFG, a local giving circle founded in October 2022, was launched by co-chairs Laura Turner and Laura Herron after being invited by Grapevine.org to start an Alexandria chapter. Since then, the group has grown to about 250 members, with roughly half contributing $100 each quarter to support local nonprofits.

Tuesday evening’s meal was a celebration of comfort food: rotisserie chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans and carrots, warm rolls with butter, and slices of frosted cake. The dinner was met with smiles and gratitude, as shelter guests thanked the volunteers and came back for seconds—and even thirds.

Plate of comfort food - chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots, green beans, rolls, and butter.
Resistance is futile. Who can resist comfort food? Photo courtesy of Laura Turner.

“We hope our effort inspires other to find way, big or small, to serve. Together, we can build a community where everyone feels seen and valued,” said Turner.

AWFG isn’t just about giving, it’s also about connecting. The group hosts regular social events, including monthly happy hours and lunches. Their next gathering is a happy hour on Thursday, October 2, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Josephine, where they’ll present a $13,147 donation check to their most recent grantee, UpCycle Creative Reuse Center.

Want to get involved or learn more? Join AWFG and be part of a growing community making a difference in Alexandria.

Jane Collins

Jane Hess Collins is a communications consultant and coach, and holds a masters’ degree in Public Relations & Corporate Communications from Georgetown University. She is the founder and executive director of Heard, an Alexandria-based nonprofit that teaches life skills disguised as art to underserved populations. She retired from the United States Air Force in 2009.

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