Covid-19

(NOTE: ALL PICTURES ARE BEFORE COVID-19.  WE ARE PRACTICING AND ENCOURAGING SOCIAL DISTANCING)

Dear valued supporters, volunteers, neighbors and friends,

The past few weeks have tested our resolve as never before. The coronavirus pandemic represents an unprecedented challenge. It reminds us that we live in an interconnected world and are indeed our brothers' keepers.

As this crisis unfolds, IMPACT! Missions has not wavered in its commitment to making a difference in the lives of our Lancaster County neighbors who are struggling with poverty and limited housing. I am writing to give you a brief update on those efforts.

First and foremost, our emergency repair ministry to low-income homeowners remains in operation. Now that county residents have been ordered to shelter in place, it is more important than ever that every family have somewhere to stay that is warm, dry and livable.

Our dedicated work crews are averaging two repair projects a week, anything from installing a new water heater to putting on a new roof. We have modified our protocols to accommodate appropriate social distancing and avoid putting our clients or volunteers at risk.  

Second, we are continuing, on a limited basis, to renovate blighted properties for eventual resale. We currently have four properties under way. Although the real estate market is in limbo, we want those houses ready to be shown as soon as possible after the crisis lifts.

Until then, however, a great deal of our working capital is tied up in those projects. Proceeds from house sales are IMPACT! Missions' single largest source of operating revenue, so this represents a major challenge for us.

Another hurdle is the temporary closure of our Refton building products store. We suspended operations there in mid-March in compliance with Gov. Tom Wolf's coronavirus directives.  That represents another loss of about $2,500 in revenue every week.

Meanwhile, the need in the community has not abated. We receive calls daily from people in crisis: Parents with small children, senior citizens on fixed incomes. Their numbers will only swell in the days and weeks ahead as we face what is looking more and more like a steep economic downturn. The neighbors we serve are counting on us.

Now more than ever, we need your help so we can support those hardest-hit in this crisis.  If you can spare $100, $50, even $25, would you consider making a donation? Every dollar will go 100% toward our projects in the field, making immediate, tangible differences in peoples' lives. 

Together, we can lift each other up and show each other the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for being part of the IMPACT! Missions family, and God bless.

_______

About IMPACT! Missions:

Founded in 2009, IMPACT! Missions is nonprofit interdenominational Christian housing ministry committed to the vision that everyone deserves a warm, dry and safe place to live.

Through its home-repair program and its acquisition of blighted properties for rehabilitation and resale to low- and moderate-income households, IMPACT! Missions works toward the goal of eliminating substandard housing and homelessness in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.