Phoenix Rescue Mission seeks donations ahead of annual summer relief campaign

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Rescue Mission will kick off its 14th annual Code:Red Summer Heat Relief Campaign on May 1 and is seeking donations now with the goal of giving out two million bottles of water this summer.

The campaign will go from May 1 to Sept. 30, as the mission will provide essential resources to the Valley’s homeless population.

The non-profit is accepting bottled water, hygiene kit items and monetary donations. Additionally, during May, any monetary donations will be matched up to $75,000, which will be made possible by Phoenix Rescue Mission’s supporters.

“Last year, for the second time in a row, the number of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County went down – from 608 deaths in 2024 to 427 deaths in 2025 – a 29.8% decrease,” Phoenix Rescue Mission CEO Ken Brissa said in a press release on Thursday. “In that same year, we rescued 1,363 neighbors in need from being on the street, a 30.6% increase from 2024. We’re looking to keep the momentum of our direct street outreach, while doing what we can to ensure the number of heat-related deaths continues to decrease.”

The nonprofit will have partnerships across 18 cities, with heat-related contracts with Glendale, Scottsdale and Mesa, which help transport those in need to heat relief centers and distribute water and hygiene kits.

During the 2025 Code:Red campaign, Phoenix Rescue Mission’s goal was to distribute one million water bottles. The mission crushed that goal by giving away 1,411,444 bottles of water, and it handed out 12,500 personal hygiene items, known as “Hope Totes.”

All donations can be dropped off at the Mission’s Donation Warehouse near 2515 North 34th Drive in Phoenix.

Another way to help is through volunteering. Phoenix Rescue Mission is seeking volunteers to help distribute food to families in need at its Hope for Hunger Food Bank in Glendale.

More information can be found online or by contacting gikhelp@phxmission.org.

What is Phoenix Rescue Mission?

The mission is a Christian nonprofit that provides support and resources to underserved communities. These communities involve people facing hunger, homelessness, addiction and trauma.

The nonprofit was started in 1952 and its other programs include Hope Coach Street Outreach, Men’s Residential Recovery Programs and the Changing Lives Center for Women and Children.

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