Affordable housing provider Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development (MEND) invites the community to attend its “BEE” the Change Fundraiser at The Venue at Lenola on Friday, April 21 at 6 p.m.
“This year – the date being April 21 – that is the Friday just before Earth Day, so we came up with the theme of ‘BEE’ the Change,’ a little play on words,” Eileen Wirth, president and CEO of MEND, said of this year’s fundraiser.
“We’re looking to have everyone come out for a casual evening … So we’re going to have some games and let people just have a good time.”
Festivities will include carnival-style games, a silent auction and cocktails.
“We hope everyone can come out and just have a nice evening of some fun and some good food, and hopefully raise a little money for MEND,” Wirth noted. “By supporting MEND as an organization, we will be able to then support low-and-moderate income families or individuals to provide them the safe, secure and affordable housing that is so desperately needed.”
According to mendinc.org, MEND is a nonprofit that began with the revitalization of the Beech Street neighborhood in Moorestown. Construction of the 18-unit apartment development – today known as Beech Street Apartments – was completed in 1978. Since then, MEND has developed more than 771 affordable-housing apartments for single adults, senior citizens, those with special needs and families in 30 South Jersey locations.
“It’s just so needed today,” Wirth said of affordable housing. “Being the change means that all of the supporters of MEND can help us to achieve that goal, and really our mission. MEND is continuing to seek out opportunities to increase the number of affordable homes in the South Jersey area.”
According to Wirth, MEND believes safe, secure, affordable housing strengthens the community, and she shared how the fundraiser’s theme is tied to the nonprofit’s mission.
“Even today, the need for affordable housing … unfortunately it doesn’t get better,” she explained. “Conventional apartment rents continue to rise and people are being stretched thin by inflation and wages are not necessarily rising as fast as the cost of living. (So) everything that can be done to … help people find that affordable home is just so important.”
“By supporting MEND, all of the supporters of MEND are helping to be that change and are … helping support MEND in providing the affordable housing that we provide,” Wirth continued. “It all just ties back to that ‘BEE’ the Change.”
Come April, Wirth looks forward to another Moorestown event to benefit MEND’s cause.
“ … (It’s) just to have the opportunity to have fun, and connect with our supporters,” she pointed out, “and the bottom line, hopefully, raise some money that can support MEND and our efforts to provide housing.”
For more information on the “BEE” the Change Fundraiser, visit https://mendinc.org.
“It would be great if everyone walked away saying, ‘Wow that was fun, I had a wonderful time, but yet while having fun and a wonderful time, I was able to help make a difference and help be the change to those that have a need for affordable housing,” Wirth said.
