The Salvation Army Provides Heat Relief Services to North Texans
As temperatures continue to rise, The Salvation Army of North Texas has launched its heat relief efforts across the region to help our most vulnerable neighbors stay safe and cool. Diligent to our mission, The Salvation Army of North Texas is providing holistic service aimed at meeting several of the community’s needs.
Heat-related illness are a real threat in our community, especially for vulnerable communities such as seniors, the very young, people with chronic diseases, and those experiencing homelessness and poverty. This summer, The Salvation Army is aiming to offer relief to as many community members as possible through emergency assistance, heat relief resources, financial assistance, and other programs aimed at long-term stability in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Tarrant, Ellis, and Rockwall counties.
At select locations, The Salvation Army, with support from its heat relief sponsor, Reliant, and partner, Westlake Ace Hardware, will be distributing boxed fans and water bottles through drive-thru food pantries and opening cooling stations to offer hydration and shade to those at risk of heat-related conditions. Furthermore, emergency disaster mobile feeding units (canteens) are being deployed to bring relief directly to vulnerable populations. In addition, financial assistance is available for families who may be experiencing lost wages and are at risk of having their utilities shut off.
Currently, the following locations have activated cooling stations:
- In Dallas County, the Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, Garland Corps Community Center, Irving Corps Community Center, Oak Cliff Corps Community Center, and Pleasant Grove Corps Community Center are open as cooling stations.
- In Denton County, the Denton Corps Community Center and Lewisville Corps Community Center are open as cooling stations.
- In Collin County, the Plano Corps Community Center and McKinney Corps Community Center are open as cooling stations..
- In Tarrant County, the Arlington Corps Community Center is open as a cooling station. The J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center is also providing heat relief services through its mobile canteen.
- In Ellis County, the Waxahachie Corps Community Center is open as a cooling station.
Each location follows guidelines by the city and the county; exact protocols may vary. North Texas Area Command has established a threshold for activating heat relief services, which relies on a forecast of 100 degrees or higher, usually for more than one day, or if there’s a heat index of more than 105 degrees for over two days in a row.
“The heat can cause more despair for North Texans still being effected by inflation, rising costs, and lingering effects of the pandemic. The Salvation Army is providing aid at a time when North Texans are facing continued hardship,” said Major Paul McFarland, area commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas. “As the need continues, The Salvation Army will provide necessary resources to keep individuals cool and safe, families in their homes, and financial support for those struggling, as well as prepare our children for success in school.”
According to statistics, extreme heat is deadlier than hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods annually, with around 1,500 people dying each year in the United States. In some areas, unsheltered individuals make up almost half of these deaths, facing dehydration, sunburn, heat stroke, and infections from sweat-soaked clothing that goes unwashed.
As the largest social services provider in North Texas, The Salvation Army provides year-round support to all those facing poverty, addiction, and homelessness across Dallas, Rockwall, Tarrant and Ellis, and Denton and Collin counties. Each week, The Salvation Army of North Texas feeds 10,000 people through its 12 food pantries, treats 500 people through its three recovery programs, and houses 1,300 people through its six shelters and senior living centers.
To donate to The Salvation Army’s preparation and relief efforts or find information on cooling shelters, visit SalvationArmyNTX.org.
About The Salvation Army of North Texas
The Salvation Army of North Texas provides a range of services to combat poverty, addiction, and homelessness at 21 centers of operation in Dallas, Rockwall, Tarrant and Ellis, and Denton and Collin counties. Faithful to our mission, The Salvation Army enables God-empowered transformations of individuals and society through food assistance, shelter, rehabilitation, counseling, spiritual support, mentoring and job placement, and more. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyNTX.org.
Media Contact:
Alex Edwards, The Salvation Army of North Texas, [email protected].