UF Habitat for Humanity needs some help before it can help others this semester.
Teng Hui, spokesman for the campus chapter, said the recession has prevented many donors and businesses from making contributions, which are vital to beginning construction.
About $20,000 is needed to begin a new housing project, not including building supplies.
Alachua County Habitat for Humanity and the campus chapter raise money for the projects, but the county chapter said it was out of money at the beginning of the year, Hui said.
Students in the organization will be focusing on fundraising activities this semester, he said.
So far, volunteers have been working concession stands at sporting events to receive a small portion of the profits.
Stephany Vento, fundraising chairwoman for the campus chapter, said the organization is planning three major events this spring: its annual 5K Hustle for Humanity, a spaghetti dinner and possibly a benefit concert.
Along with the fundraising, the group hopes it can still help families in need by repairing household items free of cost.
The campus chapter usually focuses on building two to three houses per semester in Celebration Oaks, a locally owned neighborhood created by the county chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
“We have a lot [more] UF students signing up to volunteer than spaces we have provided,” Hui said. “Unfortunately, we have had to turn them away because of what is going on.”
Hui said things are slowly picking up and money is being generated, and Habitat believes it will begin building again after spring break.
