THUNDER BAY – The federal government has deemed that the penny will stop being produced this fall. Many Canadians have a jar full of of pennies. Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay has a use for all those pennies. The not-for-profit organization is on a mission to collect ten million pennies to build a home for another deserving family in the community.
Ten million pennies equates to $100,000 – the cost of bricks and mortar to build a home for a hard-working Thunder Bay family.
Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay CEO, Diane Mitchell said, “In light of the federal government announcement that the penny will no longer be produced, this seems like the perfect time for the community to reach deep into their pockets, drawers, and change purses and come together to donate their unwanted pennies to Habitat. Canada’s Finance Minister himself said for people to donate their pennies to charity; Extra change can definitely do some good for our organization and a local family in need.”
As of today, pennies are being collected at the Habitat ReStore located at 660 Squier Street.
The organization will take the unwanted change anyway it is brought in, however charitable tax receipts will be provided to those bringing pennies in rolls. Mitchell continues; “Everyone bringing in pennies to the Restore will not go home empty handed. The Restore will offer a half-percent discount for every pound of pennies brought in. So if you bring in 10 pounds of pennies, you will get a 5% discount. Spring is the time for home renovations so you could be doing some great updates for just pennies.”
The Royal Canadian Mint will stop producing pennies this month and stop distributing them this fall. Habitat for Humanity affiliates and ReStores all across Canada will be accepting donated pennies with the ultimate goal of collecting 690 million, enough so that each of the 69 Habitat affiliates in Canada can build one more home.
In Canada, Habitat has given the hand up of affordable home ownership to over 2,000 families. Habitat homes are sold to low-income families though interest free mortgages with no down-payment required, allowing families to break the cycle of poverty. Since 1994, Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay has provided a home for 22 families in need.