Grant dollars support Human Services Campus heat-relief efforts
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust is awarding the Human Services Campus a $37,500 grant to support this summer’s heat relief efforts, officials there say.
The Phoenix-based Human Services Campus recently launched its annual ThirstAid Water Donation Drive to collect much-needed bottled water that will be distributed to help keep clients hydrated and healthy during the extreme heat in Phoenix.
HSC and partner organizations will hand out at least 100,000 bottles of water every month from May through September, according to a press release.
“Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has been an ardent and consistent supporter of our efforts to address the challenges of homelessness, and we are particularly grateful at this time of year when rising temperatures cause even greater challenges for individuals experiencing homelessness,” said HSC, CEO Amy Schwabenlender. “Piper Trust truly understands the essential value of working collaboratively to find solutions to end homelessness.”
The next water drop-off event 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 1, on the west side of the campus just east of 15th Avenue and Harrison Street.
“Piper Trust commends Human Services Campus and the partner agencies for their heat relief work and for the intentional care they provide to vulnerable people – always – but especially during Arizona’s summer months,” said Steve Zabilski, president and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.
“The work that HSC and the partner agencies delivers is absolutely critical. They support people beyond water distribution; sometimes a bit of financial support and guidance could be the difference that keeps a family cool and safe from eviction.”
Grant dollars support Human Services Campus heat-relief efforts
The grant funding for HSC’s heat relief strategy complements the Heat Relief Network coordinated by Maricopa Association of Governments.
HSC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, owns and operates a 13-acre campus at 12th Avenue and Madison that is home to 16 nonprofit organizations providing services and resources to help people end their homelessness. There are an estimated 900 individuals experiencing homelessness are sheltered every day on the campus with more than 700 unsheltered individuals on the streets surrounding the campus.
Urgent seasonal needs include electrolyte powdered drink packets, sunscreen and SPF lip balm, solid grey bandanas (no patterns), sun hats, baseball caps, sunglasses, insulated water jugs (half-gallon preferred) and cooling wraps and towels.
