Largo, FL— On Wednesday, November 25th, 2020, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties will close its offices and ReStore locations for its staff to give back. For the affiliate’s fifth “Give Back Day”, they have partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay to provide Thanksgiving meals to 120 residents in the Dansville neighborhood of Largo. In additional to meals, Habitat staff will be volunteering their time on beautification projects in the neighborhood including landscaping and general neighborhood cleanup.
Since 2016, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has completed 53 new homes in the Greater Ridgecrest Area, with 26 in the Dansville community of unincorporated Largo. Mike Sutton, president & CEO of the affiliate explains, “In partnership with Pinellas County, Habitat remains committed to supporting this community by providing affordable homeownership opportunities to its residents. The neighborhood has been so welcoming to Habitat, and we are looking forward to supporting Dansville residents in the spirit of Thanksgiving with our partners at Feeding Tampa Bay”.
As we continue to navigate the pandemic, the importance of health and safety remain top priorities. Having a safe and affordable home and healthy food are critical elements that too many members of our community do not have access to. Thus, a partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay, one of the nation’s top hunger relief organizations, was a natural fit for Habitat’s fifth annual Give Back Day.
The need for hunger relief support from organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay is great in our community. 1 million+ residents are food insecure in Tampa Bay’s 10-county region. 1 in 6 are adults, and 1 in 4 are children. Feeding Tampa Bay is currently serving up to 2 million meals a week, with 68% of those served having never been in a food line before. The nonprofit is forecasting to serve 85 million meals this year alone.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 25th, 2020
Habitat Staff will be on site from 8 AM -12 PM
Mike Sutton, Habitat president & CEO and Thomas Mantz, president & CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay on site for interviews and kickoff at 9 AM
WHERE: 12626 132nd Ave N, Largo, FL 33774
About Dansville, Habitat & County Partnership
Dansville is nestled north of where Ulmerton Road curves into Walsingham Road within the Greater Ridgecrest Area in Largo. It is home to “Dan” Henry’s direct descendants, distant cousins and others without lineage who called him Uncle Dan anyway. Today, Dansville is 68 acres, dotted with about 70 one-story houses, a couple of businesses and swaths of vacant land that have not gone unnoticed by officials in one of Florida’s most densely populated counties.
Pinellas County has spent 25 years and millions of dollars building infrastructure, purchasing land and planning for new housing and much longed-for amenities. Since 2016, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco has invested over $9,000,000. The development work in this area has been a catalyst for positive change in an otherwise neglected area. In February 2020, the affiliate celebrated its 600th home milestone in the heart of Ridgecrest.
“The Greater Ridgecrest Area continues to see transformational change and is a prime example of what can be accomplished with public-private partnerships. Pinellas County has made significant investments that have paved the way for organizations like Habitat for Humanity to do improve the lives of families by building over 50 homes in the area. We stand as a proud partner with Habitat and look forward to furthering the partnership, for the betterment of our citizens”, said Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton.
“This is what community is all about. Habitat has been able to make the dream of homeownership for over 50 families in the Greater Ridgecrest Area through a partnership with Pinellas County. These are the types of investments and outcomes the Board of County Commission wants to see. Thank you Habitat!” Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel on the partnership.
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco Counties
Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has served over 840 families and individuals through its new home buyer and exterior repair programs using locally raised funds. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. Candidates must demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to invest 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that homeownership contributes to family stability, leading, in turn, to community stability. Additionally, the affiliate raises funds through their two ReStores, home improvement outlets where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitatpwp.org.
Feeding Tampa Bay
As one of the nation’s top hunger relief organizations, Feeding Tampa Bay is ending hunger by fueling human potential in every family, child and senior across our 10-county region. By leveraging the daily connection around a meal, the organization is evolving its partnerships, programs and services with a goal to break down barriers and create long-term health and capability in the lives of the individuals it serves. In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Feeding Tampa Bay has evolved its services by almost doubling its reach to serve 2 million meals weekly and anticipates it will serve up to 85 million meals this year. Today, Feeding Tampa Bay and its community stand together to lift the families we serve, because food makes tomorrow possible.
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