By Carly Nation
BROWNSBURG — When Susan Webb and Becky Harris of Homes & Homesites were asked to create a home tour, they agreed, but only if the event could benefit the community.
“We had some spec homes in Windridge Landing and (a builder there) wanted us to organize a unified home tour, so all the houses could be open and could get all the builders involved,” Webb said.
With the Brownsburg home tour set for November, Webb and Harris decided to incorporate a community food drive for the upcoming holidays. But the small-scaled idea quickly turned into a county-wide endeavor.
Webb had seen a TV special about how people could help local food pantries, and the show gave viewers a website to find local pantry contact information. Webb found and contacted Iris Trapp with the Cornerstone Christian Church food pantry in Brownsburg, who then told her about an article published in the Hendricks County Flyer about local food pantry shortages.
“I got the article and that’s how we got so big,” Webb said. “Because we thought, well, if we’re going to do this, let’s do it big.”
Homes & Homesites was joined by local businesses like Lincoln Bank, Hendricks Regional Health, Hendricks Power Cooperative, and The Flyer Group in sponsorship.
For free admission to the Harvest Home Tour for Hendricks County, attendees need to bring a bag of food or a monetary donation, all of which will benefit five Hendricks County food pantries: Cornerstone Christian Church, Brownsburg; Kingsway Christian Church, Avon; Light and Life Free Methodist Church, Avon; Messiah Lutheran Church, Brownsburg; and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Plainfield.
Those who donate food or money will also be in the running to win a $500 gas card.
There are also different options for people who are unable to attend the home tour. In today’s edition of the Hendricks County Flyer there will be an insert with the food list and a form to help to send monetary donations. Also, food may be dropped off at Lincoln Bank locations and at Homes & Homesites.
“I think this Harvest Home will awaken our community to the fact that we have people here that need help,” Trapp said. “They need help, they’re out of work, or they’ve had illness in the family — just different circumstances which have put them in a place where they really need to ask for help.”
The home tour will consist of 10 local custom builders, with homes ranging from $440,000 to $750,000.
“We’re really pushing the idea that these houses are custom, and people can get some custom ideas from attending them,” Webb said. “They can see some unusual features.”
For food needs or more information, visit the website at www.homesandhomesites.com/harvest_home.
carly.nation@flyergroup.com
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Just the facts
What: Harvest Home Tour for Hendricks County
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 5 and 6
Where: Windridge Landing, Brownsburg
