Habi-Shack campaign promotes homelessness awareness

Habitat for Humanity hoped that building a house on the William Pitt Union lawn would remind… Habitat for Humanity hoped that building a house on the William Pitt Union lawn would remind students of all those without homes.

Pitt’s chapter of the humanitarian organization built the structure as part of its annual Habi-Shack campaign, an effort to spread awareness about substandard housing and homelessness in America and abroad. This year’s campaign will run through the end of the week.

Dan Murphy, affiliate liaison and volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, said the shack was put on a prominent place on campus to spread awareness about Habitat’s mission of bringing affordable and sustainable housing to struggling and homeless people.

Throughout the week, Habitat members will host various activities in front of the shack, including a free-hot-dog day this afternoon, which president J.J. Krais said always draws a crowd. The group will also take orders for custom painted cornhole sets from individuals or organizations and a limited number of pre-made sets are available for purchase today.

Krais said the shack was also built to paint a picture of how some people who are less fortunate actually live.

Becky Mason, a freshman, recently joined Pitt’s Habitat for Humanity after visiting its booth at the Activities Fair.

“I just think it’s a nice thing to do for people,” Mason said.

Habitat for Humanity holds various activities throughout the school year, including fundraisers, social events, local volunteering and spring break trips.

In the coming months, the organization intends to partner with Alpha Kappa Psi, a business fraternity at Pitt, to host a flag football tournament and fundraiser. Around Christmas time, Krais said Pitt students should to look out for a gingerbread house-making night.

“This is a fun social event that gets students out to see what Habitat is all about. They get to build houses that they can actually eat,” Krais said.

The organization’s main event is its spring benefit concert. The concert includes three local bands, free food, raffles and games, Krais said.

Along with holding fundraisers, the organization tries to send students out to local volunteer projects every weekend.

Groups of 50 to 60 people go to neighborhoods around Pittsburgh to help build and repair houses, Krais said. The organization works on at least two to three houses each weekend.