Jackson, MS (September 6, 2022) – The Salvation Army continues its commitment to ‘Doing the Most Good’ by partnering with PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation to host a food and water distribution event at McLeod Elementary School for Jackson residents with limited access to the city’s water distribution sites.
Following the near failure of the city’s largest water treatment facility last week, thousands in the community already homebound or with limited access to transportation were out of options to secure drinking water and other necessities for their families.
PepsiCo, the PepsiCo Foundation, and PepsiCo local bottling partner, Brown Bottling Group, stepped in to donate 14,000 shelf-stable ‘Food for Good’ meals and 15,000 cases of bottled water for individuals unable to access the city distribution sites as well as children impacted by school closures.
PepsiCo and Brown Bottling Group company employees served with Salvation Army staff and volunteers in the Labor Day event to distribute food, water, and hygiene kits to community residents.
“These families are resource-limited, have little access to support, and are physically and emotionally drained by the stress of this ongoing crisis,” said Will Trueblood, Divisional Director of Emergency Disaster Services, about the community-wide distribution event. “They need help, they need hope, and The Salvation Army is committed to providing both.”
“The Salvation Army recognizes the stress that is stealing from individuals and families during disasters,” said Major Ethan Frizzell, Divisional General Secretary of The Salvation Army. “Thus, our commitment is to intentionally continue our ministry and support of the whole family following the water crisis.”
The PepsiCo Foundation has also committed $100,000 to The Salvation Army’s relief efforts that address the immediate and longer-term needs of these communities already beleaguered by the city’s ongoing water issues. 100% of all funds donated to relief go to support those affected by the disaster.
“PepsiCo has a long history in Mississippi, and we are devastated to see families, including our own, impacted by this disaster. We are proud to support the efforts of the Salvation Army to rapidly mobilize and provide water, food, supplies, and organized volunteer efforts to connect residents to critically needed relief,” said C.D. Glin, Vice President, PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Philanthropy, PepsiCo.
Additionally, PepsiCo is donating $50,000 through Historically Better, Powered by Pepsi Stronger Together and Doritos SOLID BLACK, to The Jackson State University Gap Emergency Fund. This significant effort to support and elevate historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will prioritize the needs of students that don’t have the financial means to get home and cannot afford necessary supplies while on campus during this crisis.
The Salvation Army has been on the ground distributing food and water since this crisis began. Throughout the last week, The Salvation Army has distributed 1,000 shelf-stable meals and over 2,500 cases of water through bulk distributions and the deployment of its Emergency Response Teams to underserved communities, the elderly, and the homebound. “We will continue to provide food and water until this crisis abates or we’ve depleted our resources,” said Trueblood.
Officially recognized by federal, state, and local governments as a sanctioned disaster relief and assistance organization- and with a presence in almost every ZIP code in the country- The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to respond with a clear understanding of the impacted area’s greater needs.
Mississippi Industries for the Blind was desperate for help when they reached out to The Salvation Army. “We have been trying for a month to get access to water. We spoke with The Salvation Army this morning, and here they are. They stepped up when no one else has,” Lakenya Moore, Chief Financial Officer for the organization.
Read more stories of impact at disaster.salvationarmyusa.org. Donations can be made by texting JACKSONWATER to 51555 or by visiting helpsalvationarmy.org.
