KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's known for putting a roof over people's heads, but now Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is in need of help.
Due to the novel coronavirus and the city's stay-at-home order, the organization has stopped all construction on new homes. It's also closed one of its biggest financial resources.
"The reality of the situation is we know that it will be challenging," said Pat Turner, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City."We've had to close our ReStores down. It helps to support the work we do with operations. With the ReStores closed, that's a big financial hit on our budget."
Turner spoke from her home in a video posted online. She said they are committed to keeping current families in their homes, but top of mind are the families who were waiting and are now left in limbo. She spoke of a grandmother of three, who was expecting to move into her home in April or May.
"Those little kiddos were so excited to move into their new home and now it's not going to happen. It will be delayed, but we've made a commitment to her and families like her that we will get through this together, " Turner said.
Today, Habitat For Humanity of Kansas City launched the "Home Together" campaign, an opportunity for the community to help families involved in the home ownership program.
"This campaign will allow us to get back on our feet quickly when the time is right," said Turner. "It will allow us to plan and know when we're able to open the doors and how soon we can serve and get back on that schedule of serving families so they can move into their homes relatively soon."
Since 1979, the organization says its built or renovated more than 800 homes in six metro counties: Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Johnson counties in Kansas, as well as, Clay, Platte, and Jackson counties in Missouri.
As part of the "Home Together" campaign, you can make a donation to help. Habitat says $50 can help with the purchase of paint, $100 buys a stove, $250 builds a front porch, $500 can help with doors and windows and $1,000 insulates a home. To donate, click here.
For families who have questions about their homes with Habitat, employees with the homeowners services department are working remotely and will respond via telephone or email.
For more information on how Habitat For Humanity of Kansas City is responding to the COVID-19 crisis, click here.
