Hundreds in central Jackson to benefit from thousands of bottles of clean water, hygiene kits, and other necessities
In conjunction with Operation Shoestring’s longtime partner ChildFund International, Amazon will provide 10 pallets of water (over 18,000 bottles) to families and community members served by Operation Shoestring. The online retail giant has partnered with nonprofits to distribute water to populations struggling amid the water crises in Mississippi and Texas, and Operation Shoestring is the newest participant in this initiative.
“This is an enormous relief for our community members,” says OS Executive Director Robert Langford. “When families lose something as essential as clean water, especially in communities that are already under-resourced, every aspect of their lives is negatively impacted. The lack of water in our neighborhoods has made it particularly hard for children to attend school and has really hampered their families' ability to cook nutritious meals or keep a safe household in the pandemic.”
Thousands of families without water for over four weeks
Due to severe winter weather in February, households across Jackson have been without running water for weeks. The city remains under a boil water alert, so even families who do have water pressure cannot safely use the tap water in their homes. This has caused a major disruption for thousands of Jacksonians, including families who participate in OS programming. To remedy this situation, Operation Shoestring has been providing affected community members with body wipes, waterless toothbrushes, water in bulk, hygiene kits, and waterless cleaning supplies. This delivery of water is also an extension of the water and food distributions that Operation Shoestring has provided since the start of the pandemic.
About Operation Shoestring
Operation Shoestring provides year-round academic, social, and emotional support to children in central Jackson from pre-K – 12th grade while supporting and providing resources to their families. The aim is to empower the children and families we serve to create their own success, and that of their community, so we all rise together. Our core service community includes the Georgetown and Mid-City neighborhoods bordering the southern end of Bailey Avenue in central Jackson, Mississippi.
