ST. GEORGE – 31 toned and tanned cyclists on the southern United States team of the national nonprofit Bike and Build will pedal into St. George in early July to promote the need for and importance of affordable housing, not only in Utah, but nationwide.

Hosted through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah and the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, these young men and women will spend the day of Thursday, July 9 in Washington County renovating and repairing properties for selected local residents. In their efforts they will work alongside volunteers from the community and representatives of the local ecumenical housing ministry committed to providing safe, decent, affordable housing for qualified low-income families.

To celebrate their efforts here in Southwest Utah, the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate extends an invitation to any and all in the community to stop by the Habitat ReStore on Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to meet and greet these outstanding young humanitarian-minded athletes.

Also expected to be at the ReStore at 835 S. Bluff Street are popular food trucks offering their tasty menu items during the workday lunch hour, including Nacho Mama, Little Bites, Loaded Burgers, Waffle Love and others. In addition, the ReStore will offer a special 20 percent discount on all purchases made on July 9, in honor of the Bike and Build team.

Those unable to attend this daytime event are invited to a pot luck dinner at 6 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church at 611 N. 2450 East in St. George.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers housing to be affordable to a low-income family as long as the cost of housing, including rent or mortgage/tax payments plus basic utilities, does not exceed 30 percent of a household’s gross income.

Unfortunately, the U. S. Census Bureau reports more than 40 million households – the equivalent of the entire population of the state of California, plus a few million more – do not have the financial resources necessary to rent or own a home.

Now in its 12th season, the Bike and Build organization has contributed more than $5 million to housing groups to fund projects planned and executed by young adults. This includes more than $750,000 donated in the summers of 2013 and 2014.

For more information about volunteer opportunities with Bike and Build or about any of the programs of Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah, call Lil at 435-674-7669.