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Writing for The Huffington Post, Sarah Grossman has outlined five ways to help with the Flint Water Crisis.
1. Donate To The People Bringing Clean Water To Flint Families
The United Way of Genesee County has set up a dedicated Flint Water Fund. 100 percent of the money donated goes to buying filters and bottled water for Flint residents, as well as other emergency support services and prevention efforts.
2. Support The Researchers Keeping The Public Informed
The Flint Water Study is an independent research team at Virginia Tech. The scientists volunteer their time to study Flint’s tap water and inform residents of lead levels and their impacts through an online repository of data and information.
3. Fund The Organizations Supporting Critical Public Health Services
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) is asking for nationwide donations to the Flint Child Health and Development Fund. Funds will support “public health, medical and community-based services” to address the impact of the water crisis on Flint families.
4. Live In Flint? Bring Cash And Water Directly To Those Who Are Helping
Flint Community Schools accepts both cash donations and bottled water, according to Lansing State Journal. You can make a donation to your neighborhood school on weekdays or call the district’s finance office at 810-767-6030. To schedule a bottled water drop off, contact 810-760-1310.
The Flint Community Schools will be partnering with several organizations to help recycle the thousands of bottles of water they use during the Flint water crisis, according to MLive.com.
The Catholic Charities of Genesee County are accepting cases of water.
5. Rather Not Give Money? Call On Gov. Snyder To Help Residents
Michigan residents are signing a petition on Change.org by the thousands, demanding that Governor Snyder stop making Flint residents pay for contaminated water. The residents of Flint receive water bills that average $140 a month, according to the Flint Journal, for water that contains high levels of lead and could be damaging to their children’s health.
“Flint residents should not have to pay for poisoned water,” the petition reads. “No more shut-offs. No more poisoned water!”
The Detroit Free Press has listed other ways to donate not noted in the article include:
For those interested in donating money, go to FlintKids.org and click on “Donate Now” in upper right corner.
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the United Way of Genesee County, Hurley Children’s Hospital and Greater Flint Health Coalition have created a fund for Flint residents.
The Salvation Army of Genesee County is also accepting donations to pay for water, filters and to pay delinquent water bills for residents who have received shutoff notifications. To donate:
- Web: Click here or go to www.salmich.org
- Via smartphone: Text “WATER” to 91999
- Phone: 877-SAL-MICH
- Mail: Salvation Army Flint Water Crisis, 211 W. Kearsley, Flint 48502
For details on guidelines for water donations, visit helpforflint.com, scroll down and click on “Click here for water donation guidelines.”
The state says groups are accepting full cases of commercially packaged water (no loose bottles), commercially sealed gallon containers of water, with an expiration date of at least six months in the future. Not accepted are canned water, carbonated water, flavored water.
Water bottles, gallon jugs and larger containers of water (100 cases or less) can be dropped off at:
Weekdays at Catholic Charities Center for Hope, 517 E. Fifth Ave., Flint
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Weekends at Red Cross, 1401 Grand Traverse, Flint
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
For 100 cases or more or pallets of water:
Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, 2300 Lapeer Road, Flint
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
For extra-large donations and in-kind donations, e-mail Janet Hunter at hunterj8@michigan.gov.
To volunteer, report to the Red Cross,1401 S. Grand Traverse, Flint, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Volunteers are encouraged to visit helpforflint.com and click on “Volunteer In Flint” to fill out a form to better coordinate.
Have any legitimate ideas where 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Flint water crisis? Tweet us and let us know @TheBurtonWire.
