GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Dégagé Ministries in Grand Rapids is asking for help after a water main break in the city has caused a boil water notice for thousands.
The non-profit needs bottled water to help serve the unhoused community.
A water main break in the city on Sunday caused low or no water pressure in parts of Grand Rapids, which eventually led to the boil water notice. Executive Director of Dégagé Ministries, Thelma Ensink says they quickly began work to secure water after the notice was issued.
"We immediately called our staff that are in charge of our dining program to make sure that we would have enough drinking water available for our patrons, it's really important that they're safe, their health is a first priority to us," Ensink said. "We immediately went and purchased some additional bottled water, some of our community members are also dropping off bottled water, which we really appreciate."
Ensink added that they have also been boiling water and storing it in large cooler containers.
Dégagé Ministries says they currently have about 150 women staying at the shelter, so making sure they have access to water is a priority.
If you are interested in donating water, you can drop it off at 139 Sheldon Avenue in Grand Rapids and Dégagé Ministries workers will carry it into the shelter.
"When serving a lot of people, especially vulnerable populations, we try to be prepared for anything that might come up. But of course, when something like this comes forward, we are immediately jumping to action because we want to make sure that people are safe. So we were a bit shocked. But we also have plans in place for things like this when they happen," Ensink said.
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