Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County’s ReStore has been closed since March 23 due to the pandemic, but on Monday, May 11, the Restore will reopen with new social distancing and safety measures in place. Modified store hours will be from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday and will include limits on the number of shoppers allowed in the store at any one time. The ReStore will ask all patrons to follow the Governor’s guidelines for shopping in public retail.

Habitat’s ReStore, which sells donated new and used building supplies and home furnishings, is a major source of funds directly supporting Habitat’s operating costs and mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

Habitat was set to begin construction this past March but all construction and volunteer activities were paused due to the pandemic. After careful review of Governor Holcomb’s updated guidelines contained in the Back On Track Indiana plan, construction will begin on May 13 incorporating the new health and safety measures for staff, volunteers, and partner families.

This year Habitat’s first construction project will be building two Women Build homes side-by-side on Stiver Avenue in Elkhart Indiana.  Over 300 volunteers, typically in groups of 5- 25, are needed to help build each Habitat home. Interested volunteers are encouraged to contact Habitat at 574-533-6109 to sign-up.

Executive Director Greg Conrad shared “Our mission has never been more critical.  Before this pandemic, our community was already experiencing a housing crisis evidenced by an increasing percentage of our community devoting more than 50% of their income on housing or the unavailability of safe and affordable housing. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reinforced our vision of everyone having a decent place to live with daily reminders to “shelter at home.” Habitat is urgently needed now more than ever.”