PROP’s December donation match seeks to help address holiday housing crisis

Having a roof overhead and a warm place to sleep is vital for family stability, especially during the cold winter months.

PROP Food reports in a media release that it has witnessed an unprecedented increase in clients needing emergency and short-term housing support, up 25% from last year.

With the current high cost of living and the end of pandemic-era rental assistance programs, some residents of Eden Prairie and Chanhassen face critical housing insecurity, being just days away from eviction.

To address this, PROP is launching its “Keep Families in their Homes for the Holidays (and Beyond)” campaign in December. A local couple has pledged to match every donation, up to $25,000, during the campaign, which ends on Dec. 31.

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One PROP client, “Sophia,” never dreamed that her two-parent family would become a one-parent family overnight. As a stay-at-home mom of an infant, Sophia suddenly became solely responsible for all her family’s expenses. Even though she found a job, she had no way to pay for childcare, let alone food, rent, or car payments.

“Without PROP, my child and I would be homeless right now,” Sophia said.

Sophia received immediate food and rent assistance when working with a PROP case manager. She also received emergency childcare assistance while applying for more affordable, longer-term childcare. Now living in an apartment that fits her new budget, Sophia states, “My daughter and I now have security and hope for tomorrow. We are incredibly thankful that we could receive the help we needed at PROP.”

Jenifer Loon, the executive director of PROP, said the organization lives out its “mission every day to help our neighbors in need, offering food, support, and community.” She said nutritious food and stable housing are at the top of PROP’s list of basic needs.

“We are so grateful for the generous support of our donors, enabling PROP to meet the needs of people like Sophia,” she said.

Last year, PROP provided critical housing support to 302 individuals (82 households), preventing homelessness. PROP assisted with 130 months of rent (an average of two months per household) to local families in crisis.

For more information or to contribute to PROP’s Keeping Families in their Homes for the Holidays (and Beyond) campaign, visit the PROP Food website.

PROP Food, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, provides nourishment and comprehensive support to Eden Prairie and Chanhassen residents facing financial, housing, or employment insecurity.