KENT Celebrates Muscatine's Newest Habitat for Humanity Home
MUSCATINE, Iowa (February 10, 2023) – KENT Corporation gathered alongside other Muscatine businesses today to dedicate a Habitat for Humanity home, built over the span of seven months with the support of the Muscatine Center for Social Action (MCSA) and volunteerism efforts of countless people, including about fifty KENT employees.
Over approximately thirty weeks, volunteers from more than twenty-five area businesses divided and conquered to build the 1,054 square-foot new home located at 617 E 7th St in Muscatine. Construction commenced the first week of June and wrapped up in December.
Volunteers, such as the above pictured KENT employees, witnessed the fruits of their labor at the Habitat House Dedication event on February 10 at noon.
Like years past, KENT employees were excited at the chance to help construct an affordable home, improve the community and amplify hope locally.
“KENT was fortunate to be part of this meaningful project from the ground up,” said Carol Reynolds, VP of HR and Communications. “From the planning stages to encouraging fellow Muscatine businesses to join in, all the way to today’s dedication, it is exciting to see this great community effort come to fruition today. We are so proud of our employees, from across our divisions, for dedicating their time and talents to Habitat for Humanity.”
Generous Muscatine businesses signed up for Friday “build days” at the site throughout construction. Five different KENT teams participated, equivalent to about 400 volunteer hours in total. At the dedication, Muscatine Habitat for Humanity president, Don Lampe, promised one area business would be awarded the “Golden Hammer” in the next couple of weeks for above-and-beyond volunteerism efforts.
KENT Nutrition Group employees gather on their build day Friday, September 9, 2023. The group worked on the roof, wrapped the house, finished the basement steps, and installed furring strips on the exterior walls.
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has now built and donated thirteen homes in Muscatine.
“We want Muscatine to be recognized as a driving force in Iowa to provide housing for our community, and this home is just one of many we intend on building,” said Lisa Heckman who serves on Habitat’s board of directors. “With KENT’s support, Habitat is strengthened, and stability and independence are provided to our families to build a better life for themselves and their children.”
The dedication of the Habitat for Humanity home on Friday is particularly meaningful as the rise in construction costs, skyrocketing inflation, ongoing labor shortages, and prolonged supply chain disruptions continue to exacerbate the U.S. housing shortage.
Habitat’s family selection process is thorough, choosing hardworking families that need a hand up, not a handout. Moving forward, according to Heckman, the Habitat for Humanity organization has been awarded funding to build a 3D Home in 2023.
The Habitat for Humanity home was built for the Ross family, who helped build their new home alongside community volunteers. The family received the keys to their new home on Friday and will now pay an affordable mortgage. For more information on Habitat for Humanity click here.
About KENT® Corporation
KENT is a diversified, privately-held corporation with operating subsidiaries involved in corn wet milling, the production of animal nutrition and the manufacture of high-quality food, beverage, pharmaceutical and pet products. KENT is led by third-generation family member Gage A. Kent. The KENT family of companies serves customers across the world and employs more than 2,000 people in 40 locations across 20 states and seven countries.