For the second year in a row, Frost King is partnering with the student-run Freedom by Design (FBD) chapter at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture to make winter more cozy for Pittsburgh families.
FBD members seek to impact the lives of people in their community through modest design and construction solutions. Based on the knowledge that 66% of low-income families are faced with the choice between paying their rent and paying their utilities every winter, the students create weatherization kits that can help families block the infiltration of cold air into homes.
"Last year, we met the people receiving the kits, taught them in how to use them, and helped several families with weatherizing their homes,” said FBD member Christina Brown. “We could see the impact we were making, and it just encouraged us to do even more for the community our second time around."
Frost King donates products that can reduce the recipients’ monthly heating bills. Each kit will include essentials to help block drafts and reduce home energy loss, including Frost King door sweeps, weather stripping, window kits, and outlet sealers, as well as a screw driver, tape measure, and simple DIY instructions for a more energy efficient home.
Last year, 35 kits were distributed to families in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty, Larimer, and Homewood neighborhoods. This year, Frost King is donating enough product to increase the number of kits to 65 and extend distribution to immigrant families in West Mifflin through the organization Build a Bridge.
Kits will be handed out on November 23.
