Donations and grant funds will purchase 5,250 water filters for Flint residents
For Immediate Release: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015
Flint – The United Way of Genesee County and the City of Flint have combined forces to raise at least $105,000 from private and public sources to purchase water filters for residents in Flint.
The United Way kicked off its effort on Tuesday by committing $25,000 from its general fund. That was followed by a $50,000 donation by the General Motors Foundation and $10,000 from the Making Our Children Smile Foundation.
An additional $20,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds were secured Wednesday by the city of Flint. The Community Foundation of Greater Flint is also working to secure filters for the initiative.
“Upon first learning of the water quality issue in the city of Flint the United Way partnered with Hurley Children’s Hospital, Mott Children’s Health Center, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and the Flint Diaper Bank to provide bottled water to families in the community,” said Jamie Gaskin, CEO of the United Way of Genesee County. “Now is the time to provide a more economical and long-term solution to help residents until the water issue is resolved.”
The United Way will work with the Genesee County Health Department to purchase the filters, which cost about $20 each. The health department is working with community partners to prioritize need and distribute filters to the highest risk populations first to ensure the safety of the community. Water filters are NSF certified to include removal of lead.
“This is a great example of community members, leaders and partners banding together to ensure people have access to clean drinking water,” said Flint Mayor Dayne Walling.
Information on distribution of the filters will be communicated through the Health Department web site: www.gchd.us, as well as a hotline that is in the process of being established.
About The United Way of Genesee County: Founded in 1922, United Way of Genesee County currently supports more than 43 programs with direct grants, helping more than 57,000 people in Genesee County. The agency’s investment model is based on Education, Health, Financial Stability and Basic Needs. In 2014, the total economic impact through direct and leveraged funds exceeded $11.6 million.
