Houston group collecting water to combat Flint crisis

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston group is taking a note from the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., and working to help deliver water to a Michigan community in need.

The Black Heritage Society says it is working to collect donations of water bottles and filters to benefit the people of Flint, where lead contamination has contributed to a public health crisis.

The group, working in conjunction with The Houston Food Bank, the Black Firefighters Association and several area ministries, are collecting donations at the St. Johns United Methodist Church until 5pm at Crawford Street and Grey Street in Houston.

Donations are also being accepted at the KCOH radio studios all day Sunday at 5011 Almeda Road.

On Monday, during the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade in Houston, donations will be accepted in parking lot A at Minute Maid Park from 9am to 2pm.

President Obama declared a federal emergency in Flint on Saturday, freeing up $5 million to help restore access to clean water to the families and businesses in that community.