CPO partners with water foundation

Community Partnership of the Ozarks Inc. announced a nonprofit partnership aiming to put clean drinking water in the hands of homeless people daily.

CPO and Tempe, Arizona-based ARA Water Foundation are launching a local project to donate 64-ounce stainless steel bottles and create safe fill sites for them to be refilled, according to a news release.

The ARA Water Foundation was founded by Krystal Wuller, a Missouri State University graduate who now lives in Tempe.

"This has been a huge need in our community," Wuller said in the release. "The traditional plastic bottles do not keep water cold and safe in hot summer temperatures."

To accomplish the goal locally, CPO, Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc., The Venues Church and Second Baptist church have pledged $14,000 toward a $20,500 goal. A crowdfunding campaign through CFO's Cause Momentum website had raised $843 as of 12:16 p.m. of the $6,500 goal needed to fill the gap. The campaign has less than 25 days remaining.