School officials, city councilmembers assist Richmond residents in need of water
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond school officials and city council members are doing their part to help community members during this ongoing water crisis. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) handed out meals to students and families at Cardinal and Henry Marsh elementary schools. ALL COVERAGE: Richmond Area Water Crisis The school district partnered with “Feed More” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, with officials such as Superintendent Jason Kamras handed out and delivered no-prep meals, non-perishable food and cases of water. “We wanted to make sure that while we were closed, our families in greatest need did have access to meals,” Kamras said. “Whatever students need, we are going to work hard to provide it for them.” Kamras announced that schools will be closed for the remainder of the week. He also said school leaders will be providing lunch on Thursday, Jan. 9, and Friday, Jan. 10, to any RPS family at six accessible locations throughout the city: Brown Middle School (6300 Jahnke Rd, Richmond, Va., 23225) Cardinal Elementary School (1745 Catalina Dr, Richmond, Va., 23223) Carver Elementary School (1110 W. Leigh St, Richmond, Va, 23220) Henderson Middle School (4225 Old Brook Rd, Richmond, Va., 23227) Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School (1000 Mosby St, Richmond, Va., 23223) Richmond High School for the Arts (4214 Crutchfield St, Richmond, Va., 23225) City councilmember Katherine Jordan handed out and delivered water for those in the city at the Midtown Green water distribution center. MORE: Richmond leaders provide update on water issues, efforts to restore water treatment plant One of her deliveries included Eileen Mannix, who -- until recently -- had no water in her home since Monday. Mannix is medically disabled and said having working water is crucial for medicine she takes for health issues. She said she emailed Jordan, along with calling 311, on Tuesday before eventually receiving water from both parties on Wednesday. “I tore a knee tendon and it is taking a long time to heal,” Mannix said. “This is really the first time in my life that I've been this impaired because of the weather. I can't safely get down my icy steps or clear them or walk.” She said she’s grateful for Jordan’s help and hopes Mayor Danny Avula can solve this issue soon. MORE: ‘We don’t have the answers,’ Water crisis in Central Virginia leaves residents and businesses struggling “When you can’t address a problem quickly, the problem can get worse,” Mannix said. “I also hope that [Avula] also looks into distribution systems for special populations, because I know you can't staff for a crisis all the time.” Avula said water levels at the reservoir are still not where they need to be at a 4 p.m. press conference on Wednesday. Avula said they can’t lift the water advisory until they have a fully pressurized system. In the meantime, Avula said the city will be monitoring 311 calls and looking to have more daily water deliveries for those who can’t make it to distribution sites.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond school officials and city council members are doing their part to help community members during this ongoing water crisis.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) handed out meals to students and families at Cardinal and Henry Marsh elementary schools.
ALL COVERAGE: Richmond Area Water Crisis
The school district partnered with “Feed More” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, with officials such as Superintendent Jason Kamras handed out and delivered no-prep meals, non-perishable food and cases of water.
“We wanted to make sure that while we were closed, our families in greatest need did have access to meals,” Kamras said. “Whatever students need, we are going to work hard to provide it for them.”
Kamras announced that schools will be closed for the remainder of the week. He also said school leaders will be providing lunch on Thursday, Jan. 9, and Friday, Jan. 10, to any RPS family at six accessible locations throughout the city:
- Brown Middle School (6300 Jahnke Rd, Richmond, Va., 23225)
- Cardinal Elementary School (1745 Catalina Dr, Richmond, Va., 23223)
- Carver Elementary School (1110 W. Leigh St, Richmond, Va, 23220)
- Henderson Middle School (4225 Old Brook Rd, Richmond, Va., 23227)
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School (1000 Mosby St, Richmond, Va., 23223)
- Richmond High School for the Arts (4214 Crutchfield St, Richmond, Va., 23225)
City councilmember Katherine Jordan handed out and delivered water for those in the city at the Midtown Green water distribution center.
MORE: Richmond leaders provide update on water issues, efforts to restore water treatment plant
One of her deliveries included Eileen Mannix, who -- until recently -- had no water in her home since Monday.
Mannix is medically disabled and said having working water is crucial for medicine she takes for health issues. She said she emailed Jordan, along with calling 311, on Tuesday before eventually receiving water from both parties on Wednesday.
“I tore a knee tendon and it is taking a long time to heal,” Mannix said. “This is really the first time in my life that I've been this impaired because of the weather. I can't safely get down my icy steps or clear them or walk.”
She said she’s grateful for Jordan’s help and hopes Mayor Danny Avula can solve this issue soon.
“When you can’t address a problem quickly, the problem can get worse,” Mannix said. “I also hope that [Avula] also looks into distribution systems for special populations, because I know you can't staff for a crisis all the time.”
Avula said water levels at the reservoir are still not where they need to be at a 4 p.m. press conference on Wednesday. Avula said they can’t lift the water advisory until they have a fully pressurized system.
In the meantime, Avula said the city will be monitoring 311 calls and looking to have more daily water deliveries for those who can’t make it to distribution sites.
