The St. Joseph Habitat for Humanity is collecting can donations to raise proceeds to build a home.

“We have just kicked off our green house project,” said Melissa Koch, Habitat for Humanity Ex. Dir. “It’s our opportunity to begin our aluminum can collection and our ultimate goal is to collect enough aluminum cans and recycle them to raise $65,000 to build a house out of recycled money essentially.”

There are currently four Habitat for Humanity Green House locations set up in St. Joseph for can donations.  One at each Apple Market location in St. Joseph and a fourth at the Habitat Restore located at 827 S 9th St.  A grant from KCP&L helped to fund the initial build cost of the green houses.

Koch said there will also be a green house donation set up at St. Joe Mustangs for fans to recycle their cans at games.

“We have only been in it one week and we haven’t even talked about it and we already raised $14,” Koch said. “So we decided at that rate we would be able to raise the money in 20 months.”

She said on average around 33 cans equals out to $1.

The Habitat Board of Directors has also decided to designate all metal recycling from the Habitat restore to the project which could decrease the amount of time to raise enough funds to build a home for a family in need.

“We just though, this an opportunity to let anyone and everyone contribute contribute to the helping of a family and the building of a new home,” Koch said.

She said Habitat is also looking for individuals, businesses and organizations that are interested in Sponsoring a green house.  She said the cost of a sponsorship to build a house is $400 for anyone interested in placing a green house donation location around the area.