Relief From The North Texas Heat - Special Thanks To Our Presenting Sponsor Reliant
Heat-related illness is a real threat in North Texas, especially for vulnerable communities such as seniors, youth, people with chronic diseases, and those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Last year, Texas saw a record number of heat-related deaths, the most ever tracked since the state began recording the statistic in 1989.
For those without access to adequate air conditioning, the extreme heat is even more dangerous.
Our most vulnerable neighbors are often faced with the difficult decision to run the AC or put food on the table. Jake, for example, was living alone on a fixed income in Waxahachie, struggling to make ends meet, when he reached out to The Salvation Army for help.
As the sweltering summer quickly approached, Jake’s mental state became consumed by financial burden — he couldn’t afford to run his ancient AC unit long enough to cool his place. For weeks, he endured the rising temperatures, struggling as each night became sleepless and each day became unbearable.
When it reached dangerous levels inside his home, Jake knew he had to seek respite. Thankfully, it was nearby.
The cooling station at The Salvation Army’s Waxahachie Corps Community Center offered Jake a comfortable, safe haven to stay during the day and a box fan to take with him, which he said allowed him to peacefully sleep at night.
During the day, I like coming to the Waxahachie Corps,” Jake said. “Receiving food from the pantry will help me stretch my budget, and money I can put aside will allow me to make needed improvements to my home. I’m grateful for the help The Salvation Army has provided me.”
As the largest social services provider in North Texas, The Salvation Army serves six counties year-round. Our coordinated network is highly efficient and adaptable, allowing each location to respond to the most pressing needs of the communities it is embedded in together as one. We are able to quickly activate our holistic seasonal services aimed at providing relief to as many of our vulnerable neighbors as possible.
In preparation for the upcoming summer’s high temperatures, The Salvation Army of North Texas joined forces with Reliant, our heat relief presenting sponsor, and the Dallas Cowboys, our signature partner, this June to launch our heat relief services.
Volunteers from The Salvation Army and Reliant, together with Dallas Cowboys’ alumni players and cheerleaders, distributed much-needed essentials such as water bottles, fans, and nutrition at the Carr P. Collins Social Service Center. Throughout the next few months, The Salvation Army will continue these efforts by opening 11 indoor cooling stations, bringing relief directly to vulnerable populations via emergency disaster mobile feeding units, and more.
For families and individuals who may be at risk of having their utilities shut off, The Salvation Army teams up with Reliant to offer financial assistance that helps pay the bill. As part of Reliant’s annual Beat the Heat program, the company sponsors The Salvation Army of North Texas’ cooling stations and heat relief efforts.
North Texans affected by inflation and rising costs are facing continued hardship, and the heat only causes more despair. It is thanks to our generous supporters and corporate partners that The Salvation Army meets human needs in His name without discrimination, no matter the circumstances.