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Updated Tuesday, Oct. 4th — Mississippi is a priority place for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and right now they are in need of our collective help. Many Jackson, Mississippi, residents are without running water, this after weeks of an all-city boil water advisory. The White House declared a state of emergency on Aug. 30, authorizing the resources of the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Our community partners, as well as city, state and federal leaders, are working toward solutions. As we work toward building lasting, systemic change, we know there are some immediate needs for our friends in Jackson.
How can you help? First and foremost: Do you have friends or family in Jackson? Call them. Text them. Make sure they know how to access safe water. You can support the fund for this water crisis with donations to Jackson water. If you live in the surrounding areas, the Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition is looking for volunteers to help distribute clean water. To volunteer, email rapidresponse@peoplesadvocacyinstitute.com.
Do you live in Jackson? The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Mississippi National Guard, Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi Department of Public Safety and Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture, in conjunction with Hinds County and the City of Jackson, are opening water distribution supersites throughout the area impacted by the water crisis.
The Mississippi National Guard is deployed at seven distribution sites:
State Fairgrounds| 1207 Mississippi Street
Metrocenter Mall |3645 Highway 80
Smith Wills Stadium | 1200 Lakeland Drive
Thomas Cardozo Middle School |3180 McDowell Road
Northwest Jackson Middle School |7020 Highway 49
Hinds Community College Jackson | 3925 Sunset Drive
Davis Road Park | 2300 Davis Road
Affected residents are asked to bring sealable containers to collect non- potable water for sanitation needs such as washing clothes, flushing toilets, personal hygiene, etc. The Mississippi National Guard has deployed approximately 600 service members to work at these distribution sites. Additionally, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s Call Center, which opened Sept. 1, can be reached at 1-833-591-6362 daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition will also distribute bottled water daily at the following times and locations:
5 p.m. Monday – Friday
South Jackson
West Jackson
North Jackson
11 a.m. Saturdays
1 p.m. Sundays
Individuals and small donors can help by providing water and monetary donations to the Central Mississippi Growth Foundation through the City of Jackson. The People’s Advocacy Institute (via the Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition) and Immigration Alliance for Justice and Equity are also taking donations. Additionally, we’re asking our peers funders to join us by supporting Mississippi Center for Justice and the Community Foundation for Mississippi.
If you need water delivered, please call the city’s info line 311 or 601-960-1835 and leave a message with your name, address and telephone number.