PHOENIX — As temperatures continue to rise in the Valley, two shelters in Phoenix are asking the public to donate water and other heat relief items.
The Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) and Keys to Change are asking Valley residents say the donations will help protect people experiencing homelessness from the summer heat.
Last weekend, CASS and Keys to Change hosted a water drive in an effort to aid with heat relief efforts.
During the event, the organizations collected three pallets of bottled water and over 100 emergency heat relief kits. However, the drive fell short of its donation goal as CASS requires nearly 5,000 water bottles a day during the summer to meet hydration needs, according to a Thursday announcement.
Last year, 608 people died due to heat-related illnesses in Maricopa County, with 49% of the deaths involving people experiencing homelessness, according to a Maricopa County report.
Where can Phoenix residents donate water, heat relief items?
Residents can drop off donations at the downtown CASS campus at 1300 W. Harrison Street in Phoenix as part of Keys to Change’s Thirst Aid drive.
Items that can be donated include bottled water, sunscreen, sunglasses, cooling wrap and towels and umbrellas.
Donations can be dropped off on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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