After the Flint water crisis began, the state received funds to provide citizens with cases of bottled water, water filters, water filter cartridges, water test kits, and other items they may need to help with the issue.

Flint citizens have to meet at designated water handout areas so that they can pick up cases of bottled water. The cases of water are offered to all citizens who live in the Flint area.

But people who have lead-free water in their homes are also able to pick up some of those cases because of their address, and some of those people do.

I find this to be selfish. The water is being handed out because the water is not safe for citizens to drink, make dinner, shower, or do dishes in. But some people who pick up free water can do all of those things in their homes without harm.

Meanwhile, there are children who are unable to have a normal bathing routine. These children are forced to bathe using bottled water so they are not harmed by the water coming from their faucets.

Those families are the ones who truly need the free bottled water.  Even though these families may have already received multiple cases of water, they will still need more in the future.

These families must ration the water they receive in order to have enough to last until another pick-up date.

When the state of Michigan was given this money, it was not to help Michiganders save a few dollars on a case of water. There is no reason for safe citizens to be picking up multiple cases of water.

Let the people who need the water have it without struggle. Clean water should be the least of anyone’s worries.

Sadly, for Flint residents, it is now one of their main issues.

The Flint water crisis is a sad situation, not only for local citizens but for those across the country. It is affecting their fellow Americans. Residents who do not need bottled water should not be taking it.

Now is not the time for an everybody-for-themselves kind of attitude. Now is the time to come together and help each other in a time of need.