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United Way Coordinating Volunteers For BH Water Distribution

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United Way of Southwest Michigan is coordinating volunteers to staff distribution sites that are supplying bottled water to residents of the City of Benton Harbor who have elevated levels of lead in their municipally supplied water.

Volunteers can sign up for shifts at uwsm.org.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services asked UWSM to mobilize volunteers in Southwest Michigan for Benton Harbor distribution sites.

One of the primary distribution sites is Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA), a United Way-funded partner, that primarily provides food and housing services to low-income individuals and families in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.

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SMCAA is distributing water at its warehouse: 331 Miller Street, Benton Harbor. Distribution is done through a drive-through system where residents remain in their cars and volunteers place water cases in open trunks. The drive-through system was devised for health safety at the start of the pandemic for food distribution. At that time, UWSM helped SMCAA ramp up its volunteer base to handle the increased need for food.

Scheduled volunteer shifts are: 

  • Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (including setup and cleanup)
  • Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (including setup and cleanup)

(Please note: Actual distribution to residents takes place Wednesdays from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and Thursdays 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

Since September 30, SMCAA has been providing bottled water to the residents of Benton Harbor following reports of elevated levels of lead in the city-supplied water. The State of Michigan is providing free bottled water as city residents are being encouraged to use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods, and mixing powdered infant formula.

So far, 47,000 cases of water provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have been distributed in Benton Harbor. UWSM will be assisting distribution sites with volunteers for as long as there is a need.

Other distribution sites are as follows. These sites are currently staffed with their own volunteers, but UWSM is ready to help them with additional volunteers, should they need it, on 48-hour notice.

  • Sundays –

Abundant Life Church: 693 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor from 3-5 p.m.

Brotherhood All Nations: 1286 Monroe St., Benton Harbor from 4-6 p.m.

  • Mondays –

Abundant Life Church: 693 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor from 12-2 p.m.

  • Tuesdays –

Abundant Life Church: 693 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor from 12-2 p.m.

Ebenezer Baptist Church: 214 E. Britain Ave., Benton Harbor from 4-6 p.m.

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  • Thursdays –

Ebenezer Baptist Church: 214 E. Britain Ave., Benton Harbor 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Brotherhood All Nations: 1286 Monroe St., Benton Harbor from 4-6 p.m.

  • Saturdays –

Boys and Girls Club: 600 Nate Wells Senior Dr., Benton Harbor 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Harbor of Hope Church: 769 Pipestone St., Benton Harbor from 4-6 p.m.

“We’ve said it throughout the pandemic and we’re saying it again now: We were built for this. United Way and the communities of Southwest Michigan were built for this. No matter what the crisis is we’re prepared to step in and do what’s necessary,” said Debbie Ramirez, Volunteer Engagement Director of United Way of Southwest Michigan.

Ramirez said that the response from volunteers so far has been strong, but the need could be ongoing for some time. Volunteer needs listed on uwsm.org could change throughout any given day, so she urges those interested to check back periodically to find shifts that work with their schedule.