Many people will tell you that the difference between a house and a home is the introduction of love into the equation. Habitat for Humanity has always helped the people who earn one of their homes to introduce the love factor through the dedicated sweat-equity requirement that says the new homeowner has to show the love by being a part of the building process. This week, with long time partners at Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corporation, Habitat leaders and their appliance making friends have launched “Home Cooking with Love.”
The two, along with Chef Roshara Sanders — who grew up in a Habitat home — want to inspire Habitat homeowners to cook delicious and healthy meals with flavor, spice and love without breaking the budget.
Whirlpool’s Deb O’Connor, who serves as Director of Corporate Reputation & Community Relations, says, “For two decades, Whirlpool has donated more than $107 million and over 197,300 ranges and refrigerators to new Habitat homes in the U.S. and Canada,” and adds, “This year we’re especially excited to mark our 20 years in partnership with Habitat by working with Chef Roshara Sanders, who has created two original recipes for Habitat homeowners to enjoy making with their Whirlpool appliances.”
A decorated Army veteran, Chef Roshara grew up in a Habitat home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and it was her mother, Sharon, who fed her growing appetite for cooking and preparing meals. Keeping affordability and simplicity in mind, Chef Roshara will present her two recipes at Habitat’s national conference this week, where local Habitat organizations will learn cooking tips and share her recipes with their homeowners.
Chef Sanders says, “The kitchen is the center of the home. It’s a place of inspiration, love, and nourishment for both body and soul.” She adds, “Habitat doesn’t just partner with homeowners to build their dream of a decent and affordable home, it provides a sense of security that goes far beyond brick and mortar. Along with partners like Whirlpool and Habitat, together we can change the destinies of so many. My story is proof of that.”
Chef Roshara’s recipes will be made available online for local Habitat organizations after the national conference. This year, Habitat and Whirlpool will continue finding ways to empower Habitat homeowners in the kitchen through “Home Cooking with Love,” as Chef Roshara shares her inspirational story and her gift for the art of good food with many.
Jonathan Reckford is CEO at Habitat for Humanity International. He says, “We are so thankful for Whirlpool’s $5.7 million donation of products and funding this year that will help thousands of Habitat homeowners enjoy a place they can call home and the joy of cooking family meals together.” Reckford concludes, “Chef Roshara is an inspiration to Habitat homeowners, demonstrating the infinite possibilities families have when they own a decent and affordable home.”
Since its partnership with Habitat began, Whirlpool has also donated more than 42,000 products to Habitat for Humanity ReStores, engaged thousands of employee volunteers, sponsored nearly 180 homes, and donated products to more than 76,000 Habitat families in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, you can visit online at habitat.org.
