Mitchell Habitat's 8th Annual Garden Party Raises Over $5,300 for Affordable Housing
Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity hosted their 8th Annual Garden Party on June 3, 2021 at Mitchell Main Street & Beyond's First Friday event.
The 38 donated planters received sprinkled from above periodically throughout the event, but the community's support was felt like the downpour that came as planters were handed off to the raffle winners. More than $2,800 was raised to increase the availability of safe, decent, affordable housing in the Mitchell region! Modern Woodmen of America awarded Mitchell Habitat a matching grant up to $2,500 for the event, bringing the total raised to just over $5,309!
THANK YOU for joining our mission online and in-person!
The 38 donated planters received sprinkled from above periodically throughout the event, but the community's support was felt like the downpour that came as planters were handed off to the raffle winners. More than $2,800 was raised to increase the availability of safe, decent, affordable housing in the Mitchell region! Modern Woodmen of America awarded Mitchell Habitat a matching grant up to $2,500 for the event, bringing the total raised to just over $5,309!
THANK YOU for joining our mission online and in-person!
Living Quarters was on September 29th!
Living Quarters on September 29th was a success! Over 200 teenagers from 7 local churches spread out across town and returned with over $6,000 raised for safe, decent, and affordable housing in the Mitchell area! If we missed your house, first, we're sorry, and second, you can still give by going here and donating! Click here to find out more about Living Quarters!
Volunteer & Donor Appreciation Picnic
Our volunteer and donor appreciation picnic was a splendid success! We enjoyed an evening celebrating how God has blessed Mitchell Habitat over the past year through our dedicated volunteers and generous supporters. We heard from a participant of Sleeping Quarters, listened to great music, and partook of delicious food. We look forward to celebrating again next year!
Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity receives State Farm Matching Grant in Partnership with Student Groups from Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy (MCTEA)

Mitchell, SD. (March 25, 2021) – Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity is one of 14 groups selected to receive a matching grant from State Farm®. Mitchell Habitat has been awarded $5,000 and must raise a matching amount through a partnership with a local youth organization. Several student groups from MCTEA leapt at the opportunity to support Mitchell Habitat’s efforts to increase safe, decent, and affordable housing in the Mitchell area. These groups include Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA); National FFA Organization; Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA); and SkillsUSA.
The student groups will be holding a fundraiser on May 1st called Sleeping Quarters – an event where they will be spending a night in a cardboard box to raise awareness and funds for safe, decent, and affordable housing in the Mitchell Area.
“Here in Mitchell we don’t appear to have much of a homeless problem,” said Anessa Klumb, Executive Director for Mitchell Habitat. “But we do have homeless – they’re just not out on the streets. They’re on a friend’s couch or staying with a family member. One of the most common challenges facing people in need of shelter is the high cost of housing. In Mitchell, 40% of renters are cost burdened, meaning they’re paying more than 30% of their income for housing. We are thankful for the partnership of these teenagers who are willing to be uncomfortable for a night to bring awareness to the housing issues facing our city.”
Shane Thill, director of MCTEA, said “The students were offered their choice of what they wanted to do for a fundraiser, and they chose to sleep in a box. I’m proud of them and their willingness to step up to creatively support a local organization working to address our housing issues.”
“We are proud to support young leaders in advancing Habitat’s mission in communities across the country,” said Ed Woods, Director, Corporate Responsibility at State Farm. “At State Farm, we make it our business to be a good neighbor and are committed to building safer, stronger and better educated communities.”
Habitat has several programs to engage youth ages 5 to 25. In addition to State Farm supporting Habitat for Humanity’s youth programs since 2007, many local Habitat organizations also receive ongoing support.
The student groups will be holding a fundraiser on May 1st called Sleeping Quarters – an event where they will be spending a night in a cardboard box to raise awareness and funds for safe, decent, and affordable housing in the Mitchell Area.
“Here in Mitchell we don’t appear to have much of a homeless problem,” said Anessa Klumb, Executive Director for Mitchell Habitat. “But we do have homeless – they’re just not out on the streets. They’re on a friend’s couch or staying with a family member. One of the most common challenges facing people in need of shelter is the high cost of housing. In Mitchell, 40% of renters are cost burdened, meaning they’re paying more than 30% of their income for housing. We are thankful for the partnership of these teenagers who are willing to be uncomfortable for a night to bring awareness to the housing issues facing our city.”
Shane Thill, director of MCTEA, said “The students were offered their choice of what they wanted to do for a fundraiser, and they chose to sleep in a box. I’m proud of them and their willingness to step up to creatively support a local organization working to address our housing issues.”
“We are proud to support young leaders in advancing Habitat’s mission in communities across the country,” said Ed Woods, Director, Corporate Responsibility at State Farm. “At State Farm, we make it our business to be a good neighbor and are committed to building safer, stronger and better educated communities.”
Habitat has several programs to engage youth ages 5 to 25. In addition to State Farm supporting Habitat for Humanity’s youth programs since 2007, many local Habitat organizations also receive ongoing support.
Mitchell Habitat Celebrates 20 Years
Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity will celebrate its 20th anniversary on March 1st, marking two decades of promoting safe, decent, and affordable housing in the Mitchell area. This milestone is achieved with the support of hundreds of donors, partner families, and businesses in the local area. In its 20 year history Mitchell Habitat has built 7 homes, providing 25 people with a stable, secure home and has provided home repairs to over 25 households. Mitchell Habitat anticipates completing and selling its 8th house in late April or May and completing several more home repair projects this summer.
"Since becoming the Executive Director in 2019, I have seen momentum and strong support from the Mitchell community," stated Anessa Klumb. "There is a need for affordable housing and we are pleased to help individuals and families with new and improved living quarters."
Celebrations will continue throughout the year during Mitchell Habitat’s 7th Annual Garden Party, which will be held online from June 2-9th and during a live event in conjunction with Mitchell Main Street & Beyond’s First Friday event on June 4th. In September local youth groups will once again partner with Mitchell Habitat to collect donations door-to-door during their annual Living Quarters fundraiser.
Mitchell Habitat is proud to be an affordable housing option for the Mitchell area population. They serve families in need of shelter in Davison and Hanson Counties. New future homeowners complete 200-400 hours of “sweat equity” working on their homes and the homes of others. When the home is completed, they purchase their homes from Habitat. Potential Habitat homeowners must meet income and credit requirements in order to qualify for the Habitat for Humanity program. Mitchell Habitat is an equal housing opportunity lender.
If you have questions about Mitchell Habitat or would like to make a donation to support affordable housing in the Mitchell area please find more information at www.mitchellhabitat.org.
"Since becoming the Executive Director in 2019, I have seen momentum and strong support from the Mitchell community," stated Anessa Klumb. "There is a need for affordable housing and we are pleased to help individuals and families with new and improved living quarters."
Celebrations will continue throughout the year during Mitchell Habitat’s 7th Annual Garden Party, which will be held online from June 2-9th and during a live event in conjunction with Mitchell Main Street & Beyond’s First Friday event on June 4th. In September local youth groups will once again partner with Mitchell Habitat to collect donations door-to-door during their annual Living Quarters fundraiser.
Mitchell Habitat is proud to be an affordable housing option for the Mitchell area population. They serve families in need of shelter in Davison and Hanson Counties. New future homeowners complete 200-400 hours of “sweat equity” working on their homes and the homes of others. When the home is completed, they purchase their homes from Habitat. Potential Habitat homeowners must meet income and credit requirements in order to qualify for the Habitat for Humanity program. Mitchell Habitat is an equal housing opportunity lender.
If you have questions about Mitchell Habitat or would like to make a donation to support affordable housing in the Mitchell area please find more information at www.mitchellhabitat.org.
Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity and Wells Fargo partner in Mitchell and across the country to help build affordable housing
Mitchell, SD (August 14, 2020) – Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity with a $15,000 grant to build an affordable home in Mitchell. The funding is part of an $8.1 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International for capacity building and direct mission support to build, renovate and repair more than 350 affordable homes across the United States. The program, Wells Fargo Builds℠, is part of the Wells Fargo Foundation’s $1 billion philanthropic commitment to create more housing affordability solutions by 2025.
“We’ve had a rich history of working with Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity to strengthen our neighborhoods through philanthropy and volunteerism,” said Louise Thurman, Mitchell Wells Fargo Branch Manager. “Safe and stable housing enables people to build upon the rest of their life and, together, we can shift the narrative to help others understand that housing affordability is both an economic and humanitarian crisis that’s taking a toll on millions of people.”
Wells Fargo Builds provides philanthropic financial support from the Wells Fargo Foundation to support the construction, renovation, painting or repairing of homes with low-to-moderate income households. In 2019, Wells Fargo team members volunteered more than 1.9 million hours on 674 homes across the United States through the program.
“We have been blessed to partner with our Wells Fargo bank here in Mitchell for many years to support our affordable housing efforts and we are thrilled that our partnership is continuing.” Said Anessa Klumb, Executive Director for Mitchell Habitat. “There is great need in our community for safe, decent, and affordable housing and we are thankful that Wells Fargo is stepping up to help meet that need.”
The grant will support the construction of a home on South Kimball for Lyle Miller Sr. and his family. After a devastating fire destroyed his home a little over a year ago, Miller Sr. and his family lived in a hotel for six months before finding an affordable apartment with the help of the Mitchell Housing Authority. Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity selected Miller Sr.’s application to become the organization's newest homeowner in June and broke ground on his house in July.
“It’s hard to put this into words. Something spiritual is going on here, my family and I have been through a lot of suffering this past year, and this has been a true gift of hope. I can’t say enough great things about Habitat for Humanity,” said Miller Sr.
“We’ve had a rich history of working with Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity to strengthen our neighborhoods through philanthropy and volunteerism,” said Louise Thurman, Mitchell Wells Fargo Branch Manager. “Safe and stable housing enables people to build upon the rest of their life and, together, we can shift the narrative to help others understand that housing affordability is both an economic and humanitarian crisis that’s taking a toll on millions of people.”
Wells Fargo Builds provides philanthropic financial support from the Wells Fargo Foundation to support the construction, renovation, painting or repairing of homes with low-to-moderate income households. In 2019, Wells Fargo team members volunteered more than 1.9 million hours on 674 homes across the United States through the program.
“We have been blessed to partner with our Wells Fargo bank here in Mitchell for many years to support our affordable housing efforts and we are thrilled that our partnership is continuing.” Said Anessa Klumb, Executive Director for Mitchell Habitat. “There is great need in our community for safe, decent, and affordable housing and we are thankful that Wells Fargo is stepping up to help meet that need.”
The grant will support the construction of a home on South Kimball for Lyle Miller Sr. and his family. After a devastating fire destroyed his home a little over a year ago, Miller Sr. and his family lived in a hotel for six months before finding an affordable apartment with the help of the Mitchell Housing Authority. Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity selected Miller Sr.’s application to become the organization's newest homeowner in June and broke ground on his house in July.
“It’s hard to put this into words. Something spiritual is going on here, my family and I have been through a lot of suffering this past year, and this has been a true gift of hope. I can’t say enough great things about Habitat for Humanity,” said Miller Sr.
DEDICATION FOR HOUSE #7
On January 21, 2020, Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity celebrated one of our favorite events—a dedicationfor a new home! The event took place at 1212 South Kimball Street in Mitchell. Representatives from the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and area residents attended the dedication.
Jean Hale was chosen as the next homeowner in 2018 after passing all qualification requirements. Jean is a Mitchell resident raising three granddaughters, ages 3 through 12.

Board member Kourtney Denne presented Jean with the keys to her new house, saying: “We want to thank the Hale family, as well as Jean’s friends and relatives. They have put in hundreds of hours and have been willing to do whatever has been necessary to build this home. We’d like to present you with the keys to your new home! We’re thrilled that you accepted the challenge and chose to partner with us."
New homeowner families meet strict income and credit requirements, complete 200+ hours of “sweat equity,” and repay a no-interest mortgage to Habitat.
Since 2001, Mitchell Habitat has built or repaired 25+ nearby homes in cooperation with volunteers, donors, businesses, and partner families.
New homeowner families meet strict income and credit requirements, complete 200+ hours of “sweat equity,” and repay a no-interest mortgage to Habitat.
Since 2001, Mitchell Habitat has built or repaired 25+ nearby homes in cooperation with volunteers, donors, businesses, and partner families.