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World Habitat Day Brings Decent Housing Need to Forefront

   Written by on September 19, 2013 at 5:00 am

In recognition of World Habitat Day 2013, Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity is inviting the faith community in the surrounding area to help raise support and awareness of our cause, which is to address the need for decent housing around the world. This year, World Habitat Day falls on October 7, 2013.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian organization whose ministry was founded on the principle that everyone regardless of circumstances deserves to have a simple, decent, and safe place to live. Our mission, “to eliminate poverty in local areas and around the world,” was derived from our partnership with the faith community. We welcome volunteers, donors and partner families from all walks of life and all faiths.

The Farmville Area Habitat serves the town of Farmville, Prince Edward, southern Buckingham and Cumberland, and northeastern Charlotte Counties. Our next building project will be in southern Buckingham for a mother and her two children, a county where 20% of the population or 2,640 individuals live in poverty. Of this 20%, 160 homes have incomplete indoor plumbing. Furthermore, out of 1,500 families who rent their homes, 42% cannot afford to rent a 2-bedroom apartment at market value. However, the mortgage these families would pay to buy a Habitat home would only be half the cost of that 2-bedroom apartment they cannot afford. We plan to begin the Buckingham build as soon as we have raised enough funds.

The week-long commemoration of World Habitat Day, begins with the International Day of Prayer on Sunday, October 6, to place in the hearts and minds of people everywhere the idea that poverty housing in unacceptable, and to keep faith at the center of a call to justice.  Adequate shelter is a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty. Providing these families with affordable homes would not be possible without volunteers, donations, and support from the local community. The faith community can help us support our mission through prayer, volunteer time and talent, individual or faith community donations or by hosting a fund-raising event. We are willing to assist your faith community in planning an event if you wish and will help advertise it! Some fun suggestions are Hot Dogs for Habitat, a pancake supper, bake sale, yard sale, or even a furniture and building supplies drive for the Re-Store, a special offering.

We invite all interested members of any congregation for a one-hour meeting on Sunday, September 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Johns Memorial Episcopal Church located at 400 High Street, Farmville to plan and share ideas for celebrating World Habitat Day. The Church Relations Committee of Farmville Habitat will share ideas for celebrating World Habitat Day.  For more information, contact: Susan Smith at 434-223-3126; ssmith@hsc.edu.

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