(Marietta Daily Journal, June 24, 2018)
Smyrna-based NW Metro Habitat for Humanity announced that Publix Super Markets Charities hammered the first nail on its annual Habitat house in Austell on June 16.
Publix associates from metro Atlanta will be building alongside the new homeowner Komi Kedeya for nine consecutive Saturdays. The home will be completed in August and be dedicated to the new homeowner on Aug. 25.
The Austell home is one of 40 new home builds Publix Charities is funding across the Southeast in 2018. The company has donated $5 million to Habitat for Humanity affiliates, homeless shelters and other nonprofits providing housing to those in need. Publix is also stocking the pantry of each home.
“Publix Charities’ commitment to Habitat to provide affordable housing to families in the communities they serve is an incredible program,” said David McGinnis, NW Metro Atlanta Habitat’s president and CEO. “We are so grateful to have Publix Charities as a valued partner in our home community.”
“No individual or family should have to worry about the basic needs of food or shelter,” said Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities. “I am honored our Foundation is continuing my father’s legacy of supporting the communities Publix serves. And I am so proud of our Publix associates for giving their time and talents to building houses and providing hope to those in need.”
Kedeya is a native of Togo, West Africa who came to the U.S. 10 years ago for a better life and to help the family he left behind.
He is an assistant general manager and cashier at a convenience store in Smyrna where he has worked for five years. He has one uncle in the area, who came to America six years ago.
“What I am looking forward to most when I am a Habitat homeowner is the peace of mind that comes with the fact that I will finally have a place to call home, where I will raise my children and have a family of my own,” Kedeya said. “Since I am single, getting married in my new home and seeing my kids born and grow there, is what I look forward to most as a Habitat homeowner.”
Kedeya is interested in studying theology and pursuing future missionary work.
“God blessed me with a lot of things, but becoming a homeowner is so far the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said.
“I am very thankful and grateful to Publix and all the volunteers who work very hard to make it possible for me to have a place to call home,” Kedeya said. “I am also thankful and grateful for NW Metro Atlanta Habitat who gave me this opportunity of a lifetime to have an interest free and affordable house and allow me to become a homeowner.”