As the record heat wave continues to impact the Valley, SRP is providing relief to five local nonprofit organizations that are helping vulnerable populations deal with the extreme high temperatures. SRP is contributing a total of $110,000 to the Salvation Army – Southwest Division, St. Vincent de Paul Society, City of Phoenix Mayor’s “We’re Cool” Heat Relief Drive, United Food Bank and AZCEND Chandler Christian Community Center.
“Along with all that these agencies do for our communities throughout the year, these nonprofit organizations have been working around the clock to help ensure the safety of thousands of residents during this unprecedented heat,” said Mike Lowe, deputy general manager of Customer Operations and Services.
The agencies have been involved in the Heat Relief Network, which provides critical services in Maricopa County such as water distribution, welfare checks and cooling stations during the hottest times of the year when death and injuries can occur. Offering services above and beyond their normal workload can cause a strain on budgets, and SRP has stepped up to help ease the financial burden.
“We are so appreciative of the generosity of SRP and the recognition that we all have to make sure people are safe in the heat and the issues related to it,” said Dave Richins, interim CEO of United Food Bank, which is helping to coordinate the Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign. United Food Bank provides nutritious food to 222 agencies in five counties, serving hundreds of thousands of Arizonans who have food and water insecurity issues.
St. Vincent de Paul works to feed, clothe, house and heal homeless and working poor individuals and families in need and provides meaningful opportunities for members of our community to serve and support each other.
“We are grateful for the generous support from SRP that will help to keep our dining rooms open for heat relief all summer,” said Shannon Clancy, chief philanthropy officer for St. Vincent de Paul. “The kindness and compassion of community partners like SRP ensures that those we serve have a cool place to escape the dangerous heat, to stay hydrated and to be surrounded by people who care. We are truly thankful for all that SRP makes possible in our community.”
Also, in response to the National Weather Service extending its Excessive Heat Warning through Monday, SRP will continue to offer the Pinal Customer Center as a cool, safe option to escape the excessive heat. Free bottled water, light snacks, a cell phone charging station and rest area will be provided.
The center is currently open through Monday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the SRP Pinal Customer Center (Eagle conference room), 3735 E. Combs Road (southeast corner of Combs and Schnepf roads) in San Tan Valley.
This week, SRP delivered a record amount of energy to its more than 1 million customers in the Valley. The utility has been able to meet the increased demand thanks to a robust electrical grid maintained year-round to handle the record temperatures.
SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. SRP also is the metropolitan area’s largest supplier of water, delivering about 800,000 acre-feet annually to municipal, urban and agricultural water users.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Salvation Army – Southwest Division
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- City of Phoenix Mayor’s “We’re Cool” Heat Relief Drive
- United Food Bank Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign
- AZCEND Chandler Christian Community Center
- List of hydration sites in Maricopa County
- Energy-saving advice and SRP rebates
CONTRIBUTION BREAKDOWN
- Salvation Army – Southwest Division – $25,000
- St Vincent de Paul Society – $25,000
- City of Phoenix Mayor’s “We’re Cool” Heat Relief Drive – $25,000
- United Food Bank – $25,000
- AZCEND – Chandler Christian Community Center – $10,000
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