BENTON HARBOR, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Benton Harbor residents who’ve donated their time and effort in helping to distribute bottled water will soon be getting paid for their work.
The State of Michigan has partnered with local agencies and will begin paying city residents who work at state-supported bottled water distribution sites, retroactive to October 1.
Under the program, paid staff will be known as Community Ambassadors and will be paid 15 dollars per hour from their approved community organization they are volunteering with.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials say that each distribution site will be responsible for recruiting, managing and paying the ambassadors along with reviewing the credentials of potential ambassadors before hiring them. Those interested in becoming Community Ambassadors should connect with an established distribution site.
Officials also say that this action is part of an accelerated, across-the-board effort to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water while the city replaces all lead service lines.
To date, MDHHS and volunteers had provided more than 100,000 cases of free bottled water at community distribution sites and deliveries to residents who are homebound or lack access to transportation.
The upcoming schedule for bottled water pickup is:
Friday, Oct. 29
- Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Self-service)
Saturday, Oct. 30
- Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor, 600 Nate Wells Sr. Drive, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Harbor of Hope Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 769 Pipestone Street, 4 – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 31
- Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Avenue, 3 – 5 p.m.
- Brotherhood of All Nations, 1286 Monroe Street, 4 – 6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 1
- Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Self-service)
- Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Avenue, noon – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 2
- Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Self-service)
- Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Avenue, noon – 2 p.m.
- Ebenezer Baptist Church, 214 E. Britain Avenue, 4 – 6 p.m.
The ongoing response in Benton Harbor includes the city, Berrien County Health Department, local community organizations, MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Additional dates and locations for bottled water pick up will be added to make sure community needs are met. Information will be posted on Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe.
