Areas in North Texas could see 100-degree temperatures throughout June, prompting many organizations to provide relief to those living in the region by opening cooling centers and giving supplies to help people beat the heat.
Cooling centers are rooms in community centers that provide air-conditioning for people who need it.
The home of the Salvation Army of North Dallas, Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, has opened its doors to anyone seeking relief from the heat.
The center’s lobby is open, and Senior Director of Communications for the Salvation Army Christina Cavalier wants people to know they will make room for anyone needing to cool down in the dangerously high temperatures.
Several cooling stations in community centers have been set up across North Texas by the Salvation Army. The organization is also giving people bottled water and snacks so that they have ways to stay cool and be as comfortable as possible.
More resources will be made available as the summer season progresses. The goal is to begin giving box fans to the elderly and those who are low-income so they have some way to deal with the heat, Cavalier said.
OurCalling, an organization dedicated to helping those in poverty and without homes, is trying to help people stay cool by providing heat kits. The kits include sunglasses, bottled water, chapstick, and sunscreen to protect those who have no choice but to stay outside.
Ali Hendricksen, development manager for OurCalling, said the organization wants to provide secure cooling wraps that can be put on the neck as well as other supplies so that the heat kits have more items in them.
Search and rescue teams from the organization will begin going out into neighborhoods to distribute the kits over the coming weeks. The organization has a list of needed items so they can make hundreds of kits for people in North Texas. Those who want to donate can view the list on the organization’s website and send money to help purchase needed items.