Meijer, along with Central Michigan University and Bob Maxey Ford partnered to deliver 200,000 bottles of water to the Detroit Public Schools Community District, whose buildings are affected by high levels of metal in the water, and has turned off drinking fountains as a result.
The water is meant to help bridge the gap between now and when water filtering will begin in the district.
The thinking is that the 200,000 bottles will last about a month.
“Meijer was built on a fundamental philosophy of supporting the communities we serve, and we are pleased to partner with CMU and Bob Maxey Ford to help ensure these student athletes have enough water to drink during practice and games,” said Adrian Lewis, Meijer East Detroit Market Director.
Six trucks from the Meijer fleet deployed today to deliver the water to schools within the district.
“CMU is proud to help sponsor water to Detroit Public Schools Community District, along with Meijer and Bob Maxey,” said Tyrone Jordan, CMU’s Executive Assistant to the President for Metro Detroit Outreach.
“We have been committed to the education of DPSCD students for many years and we plan to continue our efforts in helping students receive a quality education.” The water in more than half of the schools in the district has been tainted by copper and lead.
“I’m glad that I was able to join with CMU and Meijer to help the students in the city of Detroit,” said Bob Maxey, President of Bob Maxey Ford and Bob Maxey Lincoln.
“We’ve been based in the City of Detroit for over 45 years and consider it our home.
We always look forward to helping people in the city, especially Detroit’s students.” DPSCD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.