Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, Federal Home Loan Bank, and Des Moines Arts Festival Partner for 2018 Blitz Build
DES MOINES, IA June 5, 2018 — The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) will partner with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity (GDM Habitat) to sponsor the semi-annual Blitz Build on the site the 2018 Des Moines Arts Festival® at 12th Street and Locust Street. This year will mark the fifth occurrence of the three-day event, where more than 135 volunteers will participate to build a home with a local family.
The build will kick off with a short program at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 22 and conclude on Saturday, June 23 with an open house for festival guests to tour the house on Sunday, June 24 from noon to 4 p.m. At the conclusion of the Festival, the house will be moved to its permanent home in the Birdland neighborhood in Des Moines. Employee volunteers from FHLB Des Moines will complete work on the house beginning the week of July 30.
“The Blitz Build is an important part of our community outreach at Des Moines Arts Festival,” said Stephen King, Executive Director and Immediate Past Chair of the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) World Board of Directors. “As a non-profit organization, we appreciate the need for fellow non-profits to have an opportunity to tell their story. We are pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity to make it possible for them to interact with the thousands of guests who visit the festival.”
As a longtime partner with GDM Habitat, the Bank has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours and more than $325,000 to GDM Habitat projects and programs. In 2017, FHLB Des Moines sponsored a home in the Birdland neighborhood build, one of GDM Habitat’s largest projects ever, and will offer a number of additional opportunities for employees to volunteer with GDM Habitat in 2018.
“Each year, our partnership with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity illustrates our commitment to building stronger communities,” said Mike Wilson, president and chief executive officer, FHLB Des Moines. “Sponsoring the Des Moines Art Festival home build provides our employees, members and neighbors with another way to contribute to affordable housing solutions.”
About Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry that brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Qualified families apply for partnership with Habitat for Humanity based on three criteria: need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. At closing, families purchase their home through an affordable mortgage. In addition to creating homeownership, GDM Habitat for Humanity is focused on neighborhood revitalization through the Rock the Block® program, which assists residents with repair, maintenance and beautification of homes. Rock the Block® efforts are focused primarily in neighborhoods where residents and other stakeholders agree to work closely with GDM Habitat to improve their community. For more information visit www.gdmhabitat.org.
About Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is a member-owned cooperative that provides funding solutions and liquidity to more than 1,400 financial institutions to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in their communities. Serving 13 states and three U.S. Pacific territories, FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. The Des Moines Bank is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com.
About the Des Moines Arts Festival®
The eleven-time Grand Pinnacle Award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival presented by Nationwide will be held June 22-24, 2018. This free annual three-day arts and culture festival will surround the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. DMAF invites you to “…go where it takes you…” by engaging with 180 invited professional visual artists, emerging Iowa artists, the cutting-edge Interrobang Film Festival, live music, performing arts, interactive arts activities, award-winning community outreach programs, live artist workshops and demonstrations, artisan food, and beverages for every taste. The Des Moines Arts Festival is presented by Nationwide and sponsored by Bravo Greater Des Moines, Prairie Meadows, Principal, and MidAmerican Energy.
For more information please visit us online at www.desmoinesartsfestival.org.