Each day, Brandi Duncan Herrington wakes up with a purpose.
“My purpose is to give in all the ways that I can – with my whole heart and with the best of intentions and try to do good,” says Herrington. “This applies to my business, my family, as well as community outreach.”
Juggling running a business, caring for her 8-year-old son, and leading a volunteer organization that has helped thousands of Starkvillians is second nature to Herrington, co-owner of Dunkington Art and Jewelry on South Lafayette St.
Herrington is the leader of a Facebook group called Starkville Strong. She and the members of the group along with her team of 60 hands-on volunteers work tirelessly to help those in Starkville that are in need.
Jimmy James Redd founded Starkville Strong to provide community support and encouragement during the pandemic. In May, the group was handed to Herrington who broadened its role to address needs of the whole community.
“My purpose is to give in all the ways that I can – with my whole heart and with the best of intentions and try to do good,” says Herrington. “This applies to my business, my family, as well as community outreach.”
“Being a former schoolteacher, I wanted to help the whole community,” says Herrington. “Small businesses will be helped if the community is helped. Then the community could in turn support the small businesses.”
The back room of Dunkington Art and Jewelry has become a hub for donations to Starkville Strong. The floor and tables are stacked with hygiene products, clothes, canned food, and other donated items.
“People drop off donated items here and we get them to where they need to go,” says Herrington.
While some of the food items are given to local food pantries, Herrington makes sure to fille the stand-alone food pantries around town each week. Starkville Strong is building another 5 stand-alone food pantries this month.
The pandemic has not only increased the need for assistance to the community, but it also highlighted the existing poverty and need in Starkville.
“Poverty was here before the pandemic existed, before COVID. It is just highlighted now as a result of the pandemic,” observes Herrington. “More people are suffering now because of COVID, people that might not have suffered before, so now we have more empathy in the community because people can relate. That is a recipe for momentum, and I want to capitalize on that. I want to really bring the community together to work as a team [to address poverty now and in the future].”
Starkville Strong has made a difference in the lives of many Starkvillians.
The group gave out over 300 meals this Thanksgiving. They deliver 40-50 meals each week and keep in touch with these families to make sure they have the things they need like socks and blankets.
The group has also started a bike program with Boardtown Bikes, which refurbishes used bikes to give out to people who need transportation. They have a used cell phone program and they partnered with local salons to provide free haircuts.
What started out as one individual working day and night to make a difference has become truly a group effort.
“This support system that is Starkville Strong could really make a long-term positive change for the community,” remarks Herrington. “We are working hard to build bridges between our community, businesses, nonprofits, groups, volunteers and those in need.”
To find out more about Starkville Strong, join the Facebook Group, or contact Herrington at (662) 314-4648 or starkvillestrong2020@gmail.com
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