Eric Lacy

Lansing State Journal

LANSING - A contaminated drinking water crisis continues in Flint, less than 60 miles from Michigan's capital city, and it has led to an unprecedented need for help.

The situation has been so dire in the Flint Community Schools that only bottled water is used in school buildings for drinking and cooking meals. Drinking fountains remain shut off, and it's unclear when they'll be turned on. Schools, homes, warming centers, soup kitchens and churches are just some places that need clean bottled water or cash donations to purchase water.

"When you're living it, you kind of get used to it," said Mike Loll, a school district maintenance supervisor, when asked about being limited to bottled water. "Some people just hearing about this are kind of panicking."

Bottled water is at such a premium in Flint because of lead problems in the city's water distribution system. Flint began using water from the Flint River while under a state-appointed emergency manager, leading to a spike in lead levels among Flint children. Lead can cause irreversible brain damage and has been linked to behavioral problems.

The state helped Flint switch to Lake Huron water in October, but controversy and health concerns remain, as does damage that the corrosive river water caused in the community's water distribution system. In addition to the need for bottled water, civic leaders in Flint expect long-term needs related to assisting young victims of lead poisoning.

Feds probing Flint water; Snyder declares emergency

Loll, like others in Flint, aren't looking for people to feel sorry for them. But they appreciate the help and will continue to take it from anyone, anywhere. That goes for Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties and the United Way of Genesee County, too.

The school district has received thousands of cases and pallets of bottled water since fall and has limited space to store it. Loll suggests that those eager to help should make cash donations so more water can be purchased as needed.

Bottled water is needed daily at homes in neighborhoods throughout Flint, warming centers and soup kitchens. Catholic Charities serves up to 800 meals a day at its three soup kitchens and, like the school district, uses bottled water to cook. Leftover water is given to those in need — but it goes fast.

"We're here every single day," said John Manse, Catholic Charities' community service director. "Hunger doesn't take a day off, and neither do we. The water situation is part of a new process we have to learn."

Like the school district, Manse said his organization received help from across the state. He recalls a driver from Petoskey recently bringing an entire semi-truck load of water to Flint.

The United Way of Genesee County, working with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, also welcomes water assistance. Donations can be made to a fund that's already helped purchase and distribute 11,000 water filter systems, 5,000 replacement filters and thousands of cases of bottled water.

Jamie Gaskin, the United Way's chief executive officer, said he's felt a overwhelming sense of community pride and determination to find answers.

“Communities go through various kind of crises and challenges," Gaskin said. "Everyone is trying to find their way forward in the best way we can. People are learning as they go along together."

Flint homeowner like Melissa Mays, 37, appreciates the help, but believes the state and federal government haven't done enough to help restore a safe water system in the city.

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency for Flint and Genesee County — the same day the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed it is investigating the contamination of the city's drinking water supply.

“I’m hopeful, but I’m realistic," Mays said "I’m not sad, I’m furious."

Mays said herself, her husband and her three children — ages 11, 12, and 17 — have had lead poisoning for over a year because of the city's water. The family uses at least 30 bottles of water a day for drinking and cooking. Mays' house is on its third water heater in 14 months because she said sediment and contamination damaged the previous two.

She refuses to stay on the sidelines of the issue.

Mays helps moderate three Facebook groups that promote Flint water activism: Water You Fighting For?, Flint Water Scandal and Flint Water Disaster. The groups have helped coordinate bottled water donations to local churches and community centers that transport the bottles to residents in need.

A protest about the water crisis is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday in front of Flint City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St., and is expected to include activists from Detroit, Mays said.

Mays cites a recent donation of two semi-trucks full of water from Michigan area Sam's Clubs — an estimated 72,000 bottles — as an example of the support Flint has received across the state. Lansing's proximity to Flint, about 55 miles, creates opportunities to assist, she said.

"If everyone brought a case of water up here, that could really help," Mays said. "I think Lansing has the capacity to do some really great things."

Lansing resident, Carrie Davis, a 29-year-old single mother of two, has set up a gofundme page for donations to pay for bottled water for Flint. She also has offered to transport bottles to Flint residents and organizations. For more information, visit gofundme.com/znffcz64.

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter@EricLacy.

To donate

To Flint Community Schools: Call the district's finance office at (810) 767-6030 about cash donations. Bottled water drop-offs can be coordinated by calling (810) 760-1310.

To United Way of Genesee County: Visit unitedwaygenesee.org and click on the "GIVE" button. There's an option to support the Flint Water Project. Call (810) 232-8121 for details. A new phase for outreach is investment in services to help residents who have been exposed to contaminated water.

To Catholic Charities of Genesee County: For information on making cash or bottled water donations to aid soup kitchens and warming centers, call (810) 785-6911.

To help Flint community activists who are delivering water: Call Melissa Mays at (810) 423-3435.