BY JEREMY WALDEN
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN—
In an effort to raise awareness about the dire state of housing for many Alabama residents, the Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM) is embarking on its 16th annual “No More Shacks” campaign. The campaign, set to take place Oct. 18-23, will see ARM members living in shacks to replicate the challenges faced by families in need of home repairs while living on severely limited and fixed incomes.
The campaign’s headquarters will be located at 131 S. Gay St., on the Auburn Wesley Foundation lawn, where ARM Director Lisa Pierce will spend a week living in a small shack mounted on a flatbed trailer. The makeshift dwelling, designed to mimic the substandard housing conditions endured by many, features leaky roofs, open windows and vulnerability to the elements.
Local church pastors and community leaders will join Pierce at the shack, rallying together to support ARM in its mission to raise $200,000. These funds will be used to repair homes in desperate need, such as that of 90-year-old Ms. Walker.
Walker’s home tells a tale of hardship and resilience. Her roof had been severely damaged during a violent incident, causing it to leak profusely and creating potential safety hazards.
“One night, some people got into a fight and started shooting,” she said. “They shot holes all into my roof and then the rain came.”
Even makeshift tarps couldn’t keep the rain out, leaving the ceiling tiles blackened and deeply stained.
Walker’s story, though unique, serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by many Alabamians living below the poverty line. With nearly one-third of the state’s population grappling with financial hardship, the impact of living on a fixed income is felt most acutely within the walls of their homes.
But there is hope on the horizon, and community members can make a difference by supporting the No More Shacks campaign, helping prevent stories like Walker’s from repeating. Together, the community can ensure that every Alabamian has access to a safe, warm and dry home.
Here’s how one can get involved and be part of the solution:
- Give: make a donation online, on-site at the shack or by mailing a check to ARM. Contributions made now through Nov. 1 will go toward the campaign’s goals.
- Set up a Wheelbarrow or Bucket of Change: Consider collecting spare change, building supply gift cards or checks in a wheelbarrow or bucket at a church or business. This is a great opportunity for children’s and youth groups, small groups, Sunday School classes and more to get involved.
- Visit the Shack: Drop by the campaign site. The shack will be open to the public, allowing visitors to sit with Pierce and others, learning about the issue of substandard housing and how the community can contribute by volunteering for home repairs.
- Serve: Information about upcoming volunteer home repair service days, known as Buildmore Service Days, will be available on-site at the shack. Those interested in helping can find out how to set up a team of volunteers.
For more information and to support the No More Shacks campaign, visit www.arm-al.org/nomoreshacks.
By joining ARM, citizens can make a difference and ensure that substandard housing becomes a thing of the past in Alabama, building a brighter future for those in need.