Religious, Business and City Leaders Send Truckloads of Water to S.C. Flood Victims
Mayor Yarber thanks the coalition for sending water to S.C. flood victims.
Photo courtesy of NNPA/The Mississippi Link
By Stephanie R. Jones
Special to the Outlook NNPA News Wire
A cadre of Jackson-area business people and ministers joined Mayor Tony Yarber on October 14, 2015 to announce the shipment of two tractor-trailer truckloads of water to the people of South Carolina, as they deal with the aftermath of recent, massive flooding.
The Business and Ministerial Alliance of Mississippi stood with the mayor and employees of Wal-Mart at 2711 Greenway Drive off Highway 18 for a news conference detailing their efforts to bring aid to South Carolinians.
“As bad as we think we are going through something, there are people doing much worse,” said Pastor Dwayne K. Pickett Jr., of New Jerusalem Church in Jackson, Miss.
Yarber said he was excited to see the group come out in support of the effort.
“If you check statistics, the state of Mississippi is the most giving state in the nation, and today we’ve proved that, with this group that’s behind me and the group who ought to be leading with benevolence,” Yarber said. “We’re sending our love with these supplies to South Carolina. We want to ensure that they have what they need, that things are in working order.”
The mayor challenged other houses of worship and businesses to contribute to the effort as well.
“There are still other needs,” added the mayor. “There are school children who are out of homes and need supplies, need clothing, need shelter.
“We challenge you to pull together coalitions to address those needs as well, according to your calling,” he said.
Wal-Mart manager Ramondo James said each tractor-trailer truck would be loaded with 44 palettes, each containing 50 cases of water.
Other Wal-Mart stores have donated supplies as well.
Bishop Ronnie Crudup of New Horizon International Church noted the combined efforts of the business and ministerial communities in the effort. “It’s about time we started working together in unity,” Crudup said.
Crudup continued: “Never before have we seen the business community and religious community partner on this level…it is our hope that this bottled-water donation will bring great aid and encouragement to flood victims in South Carolina.”
Terrence Smith, owner of Creative Depot on Highway 80, said that his brother is a business owner in the South Carolina area affected by the flooding.
“I know they will be very appreciative of the fresh water coming their way,” Smith said. “He will be letting his church know about the efforts of the ministers and businessmen here in Jackson.”
The Business and Ministerial Alliance took the opportunity to promote its purpose of advocating for economic equality and opportunity for African American businesses in Metro Jackson and for a more cohesive relationship between elected officials and the business community.
Businessman James Covington said, “While we gather here today for our sisters and brothers in South Carolina, we have a clear understanding of the work to be done right here. And in the days and weeks ahead we will aggressively pursue any and all avenues to achieve our mission of economic equality.”
Covington said the coalition of black business owners and ministers is nothing new. Black business owners and ministers were out front working together during the Civil Rights struggle, he said.
“And it was their efforts that led to the political gains that we currently enjoy today,” Covington said. “So once again, we are here today to reunite this effort of black business owners and ministers and to get out front and take on the historical challenge of economic equality.”
Stephanie R. Jones can be reached at srjones13@gmail.com or (601) 454-0372.
