Phoenix kicks off summer heat relief efforts
May 23, 2014, 12:05 PM | Updated: 12:05 pm
PHOENIX — It’s that time of year again when temperatures rise into the triple digits.
The city of Phoenix will kick off summer heat relief efforts on June 1.
Known as the Summer Respite Program, the Phoenix Human Services Department is asking the public to donate specific items that will be distributed to homeless outreach teams, the elderly and people with disabilities.
“The items that we are receiving as far as donations and unopened bottles of water (are) sunscreen, new underwear, white shocks, white tee shirts, lip balm and pre-packaged snack items,” said Christina Blea.
All items that are donated are tax-deductible and can be dropped off at one of the three family service centers Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Blea said this is a great way for the community to help out.
“We’ve received in the past years over 300,000 bottles of water donated and these are given to individuals who are in the parks and on the streets,” she said.
You can drop off items to one of these centers:
• Travis L. Williams, 4732 S. Central Avenue, (602) 534-4732
• John F. Long, 3454 N. 51st Avenue, (602) 262-6510
• Sunnyslope, 914 W. Hatcher Road, (602) 495-5229
The city is also involved in a program called the Heat Relief Network. Phoenix’s Human Services Department is responsible for educating seniors, the disabled and the homeless about the dangers of extremely hot temperatures and what they can do to protect themselves.
To get more information about the Summer Respite Program and the Heat Relief Network, go to phoenix.gov/humanservices.
