Looking for a new home? Royal LePage State Realty invites you to an open house and to open your hearts to Hamiltonians living in poverty.

On September 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., realtors from Royal LePage State Realty will be participating in 'Project Sunday', an opportunity for visitors to attend its open houses across the city to learn about this critical issue in Hamilton.

"Almost one in five Hamiltonians live below the poverty line," says Joe Ferrante, broker of record. "Our realtors wanted to make a difference to the city that has been so good to us.

"We also saw the opportunity to raise awareness about the issue by offering information to the hundreds of people that visit our open houses in a weekend."

Mr. Ferrante notes that currently, almost 90,000 Hamiltonians live in poverty, and poverty rates are much higher than the average among certain groups such as children, seniors and new immigrants.

"Looking for a new house quite often symbolizes a family's prosperity," said Mr. Ferrante. "While they're enjoying that good fortune, we also want to encourage homebuyers to consider how they might make a difference for our neighbours who are not as advantaged."

All donations received at the open houses will be directed to the Project Sunday Fund, a permanent endowment fund established by Royal LePage State Realty at the Hamilton Community Foundation. All proceeds from the day will go to the Foundation's community fund, which is directed to the city's most pressing needs. Currently the focus of the fund is reducing and preventing poverty.

"We chose to partner with Hamilton Community Foundation because it funds across the community," said Mr. Ferrante. "We are confident that the funds raised will be directed where they are needed most."

Prospective home buyers can view a list of the open house locations at www.projectsunday.ca. Online donations can also be made through the Project Sunday website.

The Hamilton Community Foundation has received donated funds from generous citizens, invested those funds to generate income, and made grants to support a wide range of local charities, including arts and culture, education, the environment, health and social services. The foundation also brings people together to convene solutions to some of Hamilton's most pressing challenges, such as environmental protection, neighbourhood revitalization and poverty. For more information visit www.hcf.on.ca.