Tag Archives: Habitat for Humanity

SpartanNash Foundation partners with store guests to support Habitat for Humanity

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By Lauren DeVol
SpartanNash

As part of its commitment to building stronger communities, the SpartanNash Foundation invites store guests to take part in its companywide fundraising effort to build a strong foundation and a path toward homeownership in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The SpartanNash Foundation’s fundraising effort to secure shelter – one of the Foundation’s pillars – will run Feb. 12-23, supporting local Habitat for Humanity partners in eight states.

During the 12-day scan, store guests who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 or round up to the nearest dollar at the checkout register. Participating stores include Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Family Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods, Ada Fresh Market, ValuLand, SunMart, Supermercado Nuestra Familia, Econofoods, No Frills and Dillonvale IGA stores in eight states.

For a list of store locations participating in the companywide scan campaign and the local Habitat they are partnered with, visit:spartannash.com/foundation-scans.

Nearly 50 local Habitats will receive monetary support thanks to the scan to build stronger communities. One hundred percent of all funds raised during the Foundation scan campaign will go directly to local Habitats’ homebuilding initiatives. SpartanNash underwrites the costs to run the scan campaign, contributes funding and encourages associates to volunteer with local Habitat partners. 

Since 2006, SpartanNash, its associates, the SpartanNash Foundation and generous store guests have raised and granted nearly $1.9 million to support local Habitats and hardworking homebuyers.

“The SpartanNash Foundation supports community nonprofit organizations that provide hunger relief, secure shelter and support our military heroes,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications and executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “Through our retail scan campaigns, we have developed many strong partnerships with local Habitats, and we are excited to join with our store guests, associates and Habitat partners to continue to build stronger communities in 2020.

“Habitat for Humanity builds much more than homes – and together, we can help local families build a strong foundation and a brighter future.”

Habitat for Humanity’s vision is to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live. The organization is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. 

Habitat homebuyers invest 300-500 hours of sweat equity into homebuilding and mentorship classes, where they learn the responsibilities and criteria to maintain the Habitat home they purchase on a zero-percent interest rate.

In 2019, more than $1 million was granted through the SpartanNash Foundation’s companywide scan campaigns, benefitting local Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, patriotic and food pantry partners’ initiatives to build stronger communities.

Habitat for Humanity and veterans housing on latest WKTV Journal: In Focus

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WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

When someone says Habitat for Humanity, people might think of President Jimmy Carter pounding nails in some far away foreign county, or of volunteers working in low-income urban areas of this country. Habitat for Humanity is that, but it is also so much more — including recent efforts to assist local veterans with their housing.

 

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County executive director Bri McKee visits the set of WKTV Journal: In Focus to talk with program host Ken Norris. (WKTV)

On the latest WKTV Journal: In Focus, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County executive director Bri McKee talks with program host Ken Norris about her program’s religious foundations, its worldwide scope, but also its local neighborhood results.

 

Also on this episode, Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce president Bob O’Callaghan, a regular guest to In Focus, talks about the recent grand opening of 28 West Place — a redevelopment on 28th Street that was the result of a focused public-private partnership — but that is just a highpoint in recent and upcoming chamber activities.

 

The episode will debut Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m., and will again air on Thursday, and again next week on the same days and times on WKTV channels but all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.

 

For the video of Mr. O’Callaghan’s WKTV visit here.

 

The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Two Grand Rapids nonprofits get $1 million in grant funding to address affordable housing

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Photo supplied

By Luke Ferris, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

 

LINC Up and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County have received $1 million from Project Reinvest: Neighborhoods for affordable housing projects in Grand Rapids’ southeast and southwest neighborhoods.

 

This is the first time the Project Reinvest: Neighborhoods grant has been made available and Grand Rapids is one of just four cities in the country to have more than one nonprofit awarded the grant.

 

“True success for Grand Rapids can only be realized when everyone has an opportunity to thrive,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “We are thankful for the innovative work of our local affordable housing providers. They are making home ownership opportunities accessible to those who need safe, stable and affordable housing.”

 

Project Reinvest: Neighborhoods provides grant funding to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to help stabilize and revitalize distressed communities suffering from the direct and/or indirect effects of the foreclosure crisis. The grants will support and further existing multi-faceted, place-based initiatives working to transform communities.

 

LINC Up will use the funding to build five affordable homes in the Madison Square Neighborhood in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College’s MTEC construction program. The funding will also support the creation of a construction trades contractor incubator in LINC’s Business Center at 1258 Madison to focus on training and growing local contractors.

 

“The Project Reinvest goal of reversing negative effects from the foreclosure crisis aligns with the ongoing work of LINC Up to facilitate new housing development and economic opportunities for residents. Along with immediate impacts of new housing and jobs, this grant supports a long-term investment in local construction talent who will work directly on reinvestment activities taking place in the neighborhood over the next several years.”

 

Habitat Kent will use the funding to rehabilitate four homes in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood that will be available to purchase for affordable home ownership.

 

The funds will also help support the annual Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Curb Appeal Contest and the development of pilot programs to encourage and provide resources for more affordable home ownership opportunities to residents.

Photo supplied

 

“Home ownership is a critical element in providing families with strength and stability for a brighter future.” said Habitat Kent Executive Director BriAnne McKee. “The need for affordable housing is great in our community and we’re thankful for fellow organizations like LINC Up who are helping meet that need.”

 

LINC Up and Habitat Kent both are members of the Kent County Permanent Housing Coordinating Council, a group of affordable housing providers, funders, and related partners who meet regularly to share best practices and coordinate housing development efforts. LINC Up and Habitat Kent will each receive $500,000. Both applications were filed separately.

 

Your Community in Action: Expanding affordable housing opportunities

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By ACSET Community Action Agency

Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) recently announced that they signed an agreement to purchase nearly 200 homes in Grand Rapids and Lansing from a Chicago developer. ICCF will work with other affordable housing advocates to make sure these homes remain affordable for individuals and families with limited incomes.

While Kent County—and Grand Rapids, in particular—is seeing tremendous population and economic growth, it is creating a housing shortage that is driving up the cost to buy or rent a place to live. In many cases, people who have lived in neighborhoods for decades can no longer afford to live there.

There are several agencies in Kent County that are working to ensure that all residents have access to affordable housing and thriving communities. When the broad community is engaged in addressing the urgent need for adequate, affordable housing, we all become less vulnerable and more resilient:

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County brings people together to build or rehabilitate affordable homes.

Kent County Land Bank Authority works with local governments and nonprofits to revitalize and stabilize communities.

Kent County Housing Commission provides rental assistance to families on extremely low incomes through a voucher system. They also educate property owners and the community on the need for affordable housing.

LINC Up links community organizations with real estate developers to “help neighbors, business owners, and community stakeholders realize their visions for the community.”

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.

Habitat Kent’s 3rd Annual Roosevelt Park Curb Appeal Contest is June 3

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A $70,000 Lowe’s Grant to Habitat Kent will support a summer of resident-driven activities

By Luke Ferris, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association will host a launch party Saturday, June 3rd from 1-3 pm at Cesar Chavez Elementary School for the third annual Roosevelt Park Curb Appeal Contest.

The Curb Appeal Contest is a home beautification contest organized by Habitat Kent in collaboration with the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood. Participants receive a gift card to Lowe’s at the start of the competition and then compete against their neighbors to improve the exterior of their home. At the end of the contest, prizes are awarded for homes that show the greatest improvement. Organizers plan to engage 160 participants in the contest this year.

The contest kicks off a summer of resident-driven activities and events in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood supported by a $70,000 grant from Lowe’s to Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. The funding is part of $1.75 million in grants Lowe’s awarded 22 Habitat affiliates across the country to support more than 84 Neighborhood Revitalization projects.

“In the Roosevelt Park neighborhood, the Lowe’s grant will help residents make improvements to their homes, their blocks, and continue bringing their vision for the neighborhood to life,” said BriAnne McKee, executive director of Habitat Kent.

In addition to the Curb Appeal Contest, Lowe’s grant funds will support resident-led neighborhood beautification projects, including first steps and short-term goals for implementing the newly created area specific plan, “Viva la Avenida.” These projects could include creating and hanging new light post banners, creating custom artwork for bus shelters, and painting mini-murals on utility boxes along  Grandville Ave.

The Lowe’s funds will also help launch the first annual neighborhood awards in partnership with the Grandville Avenue Business Association and support a neighborhood ArtPrize venue in partnership with the Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities.

“Lowe’s shares Habitat’s vision that having a safe, stable home helps bring strength, security and pride to families and ultimately communities,” said James Frison, Lowe’s community relations director.

Through Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization approach, Habitat affiliates offer an expanded array of housing services and partner with local residents, housing leaders, community groups and businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in communities.

A national partner since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat for Humanity and helped more than 6,500 families improve their living conditions. Each year, Lowe’s provides grants and volunteer assistance to affiliates, supports National Women Build Week and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.

Homes for the Holidays

Local Faces, Non-Profits

  Habitat for Humanity embraces loss

   By Shelby Pendrowski

shelby-1 shelby-2

As the crisp lake effect cascades throughout Kent county, the toasty sanctuary  of a home numbs the mind into a place of reflection. A time to reflect on the good and bad times of the past year. A time to remember the sorrow of death and the gift of new life. A time to reconcile all that weight heavy on the heart.

 

Last year the Grand Rapids community lost many members, but two in particular will forever be embedded in the cracked concrete of the city through the builds of Habitat For Humanity Kent County.

 

Habitat For Humanity sets to announce two new homes to the community, said member Philip Zoutendam. The homes are “tribute builds from families who lost loved ones and wanted to sponsor houses.”

 

Although the charity is working on many projects this holiday season, these two homes are the only ones to reach completion for the month of December.

 

Almost a year since the tragic loss of James D. Kirkwood family, friends and community members unite to unveil the Jim Kirkwood Tribute Build. The celebration for this home, located at 953 Kensington SW in Grand Rapids, commences on Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

 

Andy Angelo lost his life this past summer, but his 25 years of printed word at The Grand Rapids Press will not be his only legacy. A home in Angelo’s Grandville neighborhood now sits as a reminder of all his work and charity. The family, loved ones and members of Habitat for Humanity turn the key to this holiday gift on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Habitat for Humanity and the family of the deceased invite everyone to the events not just to remember those who have passed, but also to welcome two new families into their forever homes. Those unable to attend are encouraged to donate or volunteer, for tis the season good tidings.

 

The charity is just looking for individuals “always happy to help and looking to give back.”