The Humanities Foundation is sending out a mayday call for help to paint the House of Hope on Friday, May 1 at Marion Square in downtown Charleston to bring attention to the growing needs of people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

Artist and printmaker John Pundt, the father of Guerrilla Cuisine Jimihatt, and folk artist and musician Charlie McAlister, will build the house from recyclable cardboard on the King Street side of the park.

At 3:30 p.m. May 1 artists and non-artists will be invited to use The House of Hope as a giant canvas on which to paint their artistic interpretation of the issue of homelessness. The house will be on display for a week.

Tracy Doran, president of the Humanities Foundation, said, “We want to engage young people in the issue of homelessness because they are the future of that issue, and they can bring about change.”

While volunteers paint The House of Hope, Charleston drummer and band leader Quentin Baxter will perform in a benefit concert.

In addition to drawing attention to the needs of the homeless the event also will serve as a fundraiser for the foundation’s ShelterNet program. Created in 1995, ShelterNet provides one-time emergency financial assistance for low-income individuals and families who are in danger of eviction or having their utilities disconnected.

A foundation staff member will be at The House of Hope while it is being painted and at various times during the week to give out information about ShelterNet and collect donations to help people who are in a crisis, Doran said.

The problem of homelessness is growing, Doran said. “We are getting more referrals from people who need assistance for rent and utilities. Although some people aren’t in homeless shelters they are having trouble month to month. They are living with friends and family, which means they are going through their support system. It could be just a matter time before they fall through the cracks and end up in the homeless shelters.”