Letha Taylor is a woman with a lot of baggage.

No, I’m not talking about emotional baggage — I’m talking about bags. You know … handbags, purses and the like.

In the last few weeks, Taylor — a Charlotte resident who’s made a name for herself by serving as an event coordinator and a concierge for celebrities who visit the city — has accumulated hundreds of bags for a charity initiative she created called Bags of Love.

Taylor’s goal with Bags of Love is to collect new or gently new handbags from people in the community and then donate the bags (filled with toiletries) to residents at the Women’s Homeless Shelter (The Center of Hope). She explained the impetus for the effort in a recent release she prepared for the media:

“I was a few steps away from being homeless this year,” she says. “I lost two jobs and moved three times. I always had a passion to help the homeless. [I wondered] Was this 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. I am giving back! Paying it forward! You don't have to be rich to give, just go out and have faith!”

Taylor plans to distribute the bags Jan. 2, 2009, but it’s not too late to donate a few bags of your own. Here are two Bags of Love drop-off points where you can leave handbags:

Reggae Central

1506 Central Ave (in Plaza Midwood)

704-377-2782

“25 % off any purchase”

Salon & Spa

8535 Hankings Road, Suite A (North Lake Mall Area)

704-599-7048

For more info, e-mail Taylor at lethabagsoflove@yahoo.com.