Emmanuel Kober, a 47-year-old, out-of-work builder from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, walked more than 400 miles to Washington D.C. hoping for a meeting with President Barack Obama. But he didn't get past the secret service agents guarding the White House.

Kober hoped to get the President's endorsement for a program called the "Great American Home Giveaway," which Kober says could help restart the economy.

The Safe Foundation is using donations to buy homes on the market at a "fair price," Kober said. People who donate at least $25 can win one of the new homes bought by the non profit. Odds are five in 165,000 to win, Kober said. Five homes, including one built by Kober, will be "given away" in the first round.

The Safe Foundation tried unsuccessfully to get elected officials to endorse the program. Then Kober started calling and writing to elected officials, but he didn't get any response either. Kober hoped the walk to Washington D.C. would get Obama's attention. But after secret service agents asked him to leave, he was deeply disappointed.

"No, I did not expect to be able to walk into the White House and speak with the President. Although, I did expect to at least be able to make an appointment with someone from President Obama's economic team," he said. "A 400 mile, 11-day walk is at least worth five minutes of anyone's time."