PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - On Wednesday morning, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, Petal Mayor Tony Ducker and representatives from the Forrest County and Lamar County boards of supervisors shared how Pine Belt citizens can help our neighbors in Jackson during its water crisis.

Through Friday, Sept. 16, residents can drop off donations of unopened plastic water bottles at fire stations throughout the Pine Belt.

Local emergency management agencies will later help transport the water to provide support to Jackson residents through Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and its distribution points.

“Our area isn’t a stranger to hard times,” said Barker. “During our hardest days, our friends from all over the state have stepped in to help. Today, we’re more than glad to pay that forward through a collaborative approach with the City of Petal, Lamar County and Forrest County.”

“It’s very important that we do something of this nature,” said Ducker. “When we were in similar situations through natural disasters where we were without water and power, others stepped forward. At the end of the day, it’s the little acts like an extra case of water that means someone cares – and now is the time we get to do the same for others.”

There are more than 25 locations throughout Forrest and Lamar counties where unopened water bottles can be dropped off. A full list of participating stations and municipal buildings is located below:

City of Hattiesburg Fire Stations

City of Petal Fire Station

Forrest County Volunteer Fire Stations

Lamar County Volunteer Fire Stations

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