Seniors can apply for free exterior house painting

Metro Paint-A-Thon, a program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, helps income eligible seniors and people with disabilities continue to live independently in their own homes, enriching their lives and their neighborhoods. Every summer, more than a thousand volunteers scrape, prime, and paint homes in Hennepin and Ramsey counties and neighboring cities at no cost to the homeowner. This year, volunteers from companies, congregations, civic groups, and schools will paint homes throughout the summer, with the primary focus coming the weekend of August 5-6.

To qualify for Paint-A-Thon, homeowners must: own and occupy a single-family home in need of painting, but not major repairs; live in Hennepin or Ramsey counties or neighboring cities; be 60 years of age or older, or have a permanent physical disability (if younger than 60); and meet monthly income guidelines.

If you have a neighbor, friend, or family member who could benefit from this program, or if you yourself are an eligible homeowner, call the Metro Paint-A-Thon office at 612-276-1579 or email mchandler@gmcc.org for further information or to request an application. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 14. Info: gmcc.org.