ATHENS, Ala. — The memory of a Rogersville woman murdered in her apartment will be honored in a lasting way, thanks to the support of Kathy Owens, Hearts for the Homeless, Athens-Limestone Public Library, Difference Makers, Inc., & the family of Connie Ridgeway. Connie’s Cabinet was dedicated in front of the Athens-Limestone Public Library in a ceremony on Friday.
Connie's Cabinet is a community self-serve food pantry created to honor the legacy of Connie Ridgeway in a positive way after she was murdered in her Rogersville apartment in October 2015. "When you think about what happened in October 2015, we've tried to think together, me and Austin and Cameron, of things that we can do that shine a light on Connie's legacy," family friend Mark White explained.
Ridgeway's son Austin Williams agrees. "It makes me feel ah feel good. it feels a bit lighter, and I'm happy that we're able to remember kind of her kind and generous spirit. That's what she was she was known for in her community, just being a very kind and gentle person. I think this is a really good way to remember her and to help people because a lot of times you don't realize that people are food insecure."
The work for Connie's Cabinet started last December with an event in Rogersville, and this moment of dedicating Connie's Cabinet in front of the Athens-Limestone Public Library keeps Ridgeway's legacy alive. "It's done great since December, and so with Kathy Lawrence and with Angie Mclin, they both got together and decided that they wanted to help move this effort forward. and that established two more pantries, one here at the library and then one goes to Elgin, Alabama. So we'll have three pantries in honor of Connie Ridgeway," White added.
Furthermore, if anyone in the community is in need of food, "...we want them to feel comfortable taking the food. they don't have to answer any questions, no questionnaire. it's free for them to take and we want the community to put food into the pantry," he continued.
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