The customers who lined up outside Belk on Friday weren’t the only individuals who received a gift.

The corporation ­– which has over 300 stores in 16 states – donated $20,000 to the Oxford-Lafayette Habitat for Humanity prior to the Oxford store opening for business.

The donation is part of Belk’s ongoing community service project, Belk: Project Hometown which is “designed to strengthen southern communities,” a press release from the company said.

“On behalf of our affiliate and the community of Oxford, we thank Belk for their donation,” Oxford-Lafayette Habitat for Humanity representative Dick Scruggs said. “It is a wonderful contribution to our community.”

Habitat for Humanity has constructed 15 homes for families in and around Oxford, with another home in the beginning stages, Scruggs said.

“We have also instituted new programs that are dedicated to homes in need of repair and a program to build ramps for individuals who are disabled to safely enter their homes,” Scruggs said before encouraging anyone interested in joining Habitat for Humanity to contact the group to be involved or to contact the group to have someone be considered to receive assistance.

The check presentation was one portion of an opening ceremony to celebrate Belk’s 130^th Anniversary. As part of a yearlong celebration, the company chose 12 stores to host parties throughout the year.

On Friday, the first 130 customers to enter the store received gift cards and a long-time customer was presented with a $500 gift card.

To contact the Oxford-Lafayette Habitat for Humanity chapter, call 662-380-3343.