Michigan officials, volunteers provide free bottled water to Benton Harbor residents
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — State officials and local volunteers are distributing free water bottles to Benton Harbor residents amid the city's water crisis.
Volunteers handed out 88,295 bottles as of Monday, according to a written statement from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
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“The community leaders and the volunteers really pulled together,” said Dashuna Robinson, an assistance payments supervisor at the MDHHS office in Berrien County and a coordinator for the water distribution. “Bishop James Atterberry from the church, city officials, school board members, and other community members were getting the word out by phone, on social media and in person. Mayor Marcus Muhammad went live on Facebook. Residents supported our efforts by picking up water for their elderly relatives. Our volunteers stayed past the designated 6 p.m. closing time, and by the end of the day every case of water had gone to residents.”
Volunteers were also delivering water to residents who couldn't leave home or couldn't make it to distribution sites.
State health officials encouraged residents to use the bottled water for most purposes, including cooking, drinking, hygiene and mixing baby formula.
The distribution efforts come after dangerously high levels of lead were detected in Benton Harbor's water supply in previous weeks.
In the time since the discovery, other Michigan cities like Hamtramck have detected similar levels of lead in their water.
Meanwhile, West Michigan cities like South Haven and Battle Creek are discussing what it will take to replace their own lead service lines.
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More water bottle distribution dates are scheduled in Benton Harbor starting Tuesday:
Tuesday, Oct. 26
- Southwest Community Action Agency: 331 Miller St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Self-service).
- Abundant Life Church of God: 693 Columbus Ave., noon to 2 p.m.
- Ebenezer Baptist Church: 214 E. Britain Ave., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 27
- Southwest Community Action Agency: 331 Miller St., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 28
- Ebenezer Baptist Church, 214 E. Britain Ave., 10 a.m. to noon.
- Brotherhood of All Nations: 1286 Monroe St., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Southwest Community Action Agency: 331 Miller St., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 29
- Southwest Community Action Agency: 331 Miller St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Self-service).
Health officials plan to add additional distribution dates and locations, according to MDHHS.
For more information about water bottle distribution, including times and volunteer registration, visit the MI Lead Safe website.
Anyone with questions about lead can call MDHHS at 866-691-5323 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit them online.
