Two community members are without water, and have been without water for 3 weeks. The reason? Deposit costs, and a stack of monthly bills that add up. Simply put, living without running water is incredibly substandard, inhumane and a health hazard. 3 weeks without being able to flush, 3 weeks without being able to shower, 3 weeks without being able to wash dishes, and 3 weeks without being able to pour something a simple as a glass of water from the tap. The people suffering from this? They are key members of the community here in Lakeland, they show up, they contribute, they make our spaces better with their creative contributions. It's simply unacceptable to have people living in these conditions, especially when it's a matter of a lack of funds. It's a matter of "I work 40 hours a week but paying the back dated water bill would mean not paying rent."

They've got a plan, and once the deposit is paid, and the backdated bills? The cost of having water becomes manageable, it becomes part of the monthly budget. What they need is our support, our help, our mutual aid to assure they have access to the necessities of life. Ultimately, these are my friends, and your friends too. Let's show them that no one in our community has to suffer in silence. Let's give them the support they need.