The plight of approximately 200 residents of rural Wilcox County who have no running water has spurred the Rev. Darryl Calloway, pastor of Whatley Street First Baptist Church, to collect water this coming Sat., Aug. 6.

Calloway said Tuesday the church is seeking bottled water, jugs of water, kegs of water – anything someone is willing to give.

“We’ll have a water drive Saturday from 8 until 10, and then we’re going to drive it over to Wilcox County,” Calloway said.

Financial contributions for the project also are being accepted.

Residents of the Lamison area of Wilcox County have repeatedly asked the Wilcox County Commission to help secure a grant to provide a public water system to their community. However, the commission is financially strapped and has poor credit. To date, commissioners have split on a move to create a water authority which could potentially secure grant funding. It also has rejected offers from the West Dallas County water system and the Towy of Pine Hill. Commissioners who have voted against the proposal say they are concerned the proposed water system extension would not have enough customers to cover the costs of repaying the debt to build it.

Calloway simply quoted Matthew, Chapter 25.

“It says, ‘I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,’ ” he said. “We are called to help people.”