Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Will Distribute Groceries, Bottled Water to Houstonians in Need

The office of Sheila Jackson Lee has tweeted that the Congresswoman, along with nonprofit organization NACC Disaster Service, will be handing out bottle water and groceries to Houston communities affected by the winter storm, starting at 1 p.m. Thursday at Emancipation Park.

Lee and the NACC, a coalition of Christian churches, will start handing out water and groceries at 3018 Emancipation, before moving to Texas Christian University and later the Greenspoint area. Exact timing and locations for the two later deliveries will be announced later, likely on Twitter.

The handouts are meant to provide some relief for Houston residents who have been without water and power, many for more than 24 hours, during the state’s worst winter storm in at least a generation. Residents of the city who do have water have been under a boil water notice for about 24 hours and counting. Grocery stores throughout the city have also had to limit their hours due to a strain on the energy grid as well as supply chain issues leading to empty shelves and long entry lines.

The tweet’s from Lee’s office came about half an hour before a press conference from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in which he announced that the city was working on a bottled water distribution plan for residents. The city will be releasing a list of bottled water distribution sites later today.

Third Ward restaurant Turkey Leg Hut will also host a water distribution event on Thursday afternoon, starting at 2 p.m. The restaurant will hand out 14 pallets of bottled water at its location at 4830 Almeda Road thanks to a partnership with U.S. Foods. According to a press release, anyone in need of water is welcome to stop by, and distribution will be limited to one case of bottled water per car.

The move also comes amidst news that another Texas official, Senator Ted Cruz, flew to Cancun for vacation Wednesday afternoon as many of his constituents suffered bitter cold, prolonged power outages, food shortages and lack of running water. The outcry led Cruz to cut his trip short and return to Texas after just a few hours in Mexico.

• A Running List of the Houston Restaurants That Are Open and Closed During the Winter Storm [EHOU]
• Pearland Barbecue Favorite Killen’s Will Serve Free Sandwiches to People Impacted by Wicked Winter Storm [EHOU]
• Houston Might Be Shut Down, but Some Local Restaurants Are Braving the Storm to Serve Their Community [EHOU]