Madison Church Raises $9K for Families in Water Crisis

Residents at The Sutton Apartments went 12 days without running water after their property owner abandoned a $30,000 water bill and disappeared. When the City of Madison declared the building unsafe and ordered everyone out by Friday, nearly two dozen families faced homelessness with nowhere to turn.

That's when Building Church in Madison launched an emergency fund. In just 72 hours, the community donated almost $9,000 to help their neighbors.

"We believe Madison is a generous community," said Lead Pastor Spencer Beach. "It's amazing to see, and that makes me proud to call Madison home."

The church used the donations to pay for hotel stays at a local extended stay for 11 families while they search for permanent housing. Madison City Schools covered hotel costs for three more families, and Shower Up, another local organization, helped two additional families find temporary shelter.

On Monday, volunteers arrived with boxes. Tuesday and Wednesday brought moving trucks to help families safely relocate their belongings before the Friday deadline.

"I always say we're blessed to be a blessing," said volunteer Lana Barshinger. "Tomorrow is going to be a big day, as far as helping people pack, get their stuff moved, and helping them with the apartments and finding places to live."

Modesty, the apartment office manager who started just before the water crisis began, became an unexpected hero in the situation. She organized water and food donations and contacted other local apartment complexes to find available units for displaced residents.

"When I see that people were stressed and people have kids out here, we have some older people out here, I'm like, 'Okay, it's time for me to get in active mode to help them,'" Modesty said. She spent hours putting herself in residents' shoes, determined to find solutions when the property owner wouldn't.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one church's fundraiser sparked a wave of community action. Local schools, nonprofits, and volunteers coordinated to ensure no family would be left behind.

The collaboration shows how quickly a community can mobilize when neighbors need help. Within days, temporary housing was secured, moving supplies arrived, and volunteers organized to physically help families transition to safety.

Several families are staying in the apartments until the last possible moment while finalizing their permanent housing plans. The church continues accepting donations and volunteers to help with the final moves.

When an absent landlord created a crisis, Madison proved that community care fills gaps faster than bureaucracy ever could.