The organization, which builds homes for low-income families, has postponed its next building project in southwest Cherokee because of a lack of funds. The build was originally scheduled to start in November, but has been moved back to February of next year.
Habitat must raise $80,000 for each house it builds. So far, the organization has raised just $17,000 for the southwest Cherokee house, according to Area Director Rita Arena. The house is on Blackhawk Drive in southwest Cherokee.
"It is the economy," she said about the difficulty in raising funds. "People have always given to us, and they just can't do it now."
She said the nonprofit organization is also struggling to get donations for its resale center in downtown Canton. She said that instead of donating unneeded furniture and household items to the store, people are selling them to support themselves during the economic downturn.
In an effort to raise funds, Habitat has set up an Apostle's Build breakfast next month and invited local churches to attend. The goal is for a group of churches in the county to come together to raise funds for the house and provide labor and prayer support.
The free breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 8, at First Baptist Canton. Attending the event will be the Berry family of Canton, who has been selected for the Apostles Build home.
"We are looking to increase the number of donors. We are substituting volume for quantity," said Russ Hayes, CEO for Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia, which includes Cherokee County. "Donations to nonprofits have slowed down across the board."
Habitat has just completed a home on Cherokee Street in Canton. Hayes said the organization has also closed on two lots in Hickory Flat and has four other lots currently under contract, two in Hickory Flat and two in southwest Cherokee.
"We will be in pretty good shape for land in Cherokee County" after those closings, Hayes said.
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