Mesa water donations trickle in as mercury rises

Spiraling gas prices may be on the minds of many residents, but local nonprofits are busy collecting a more basic liquid for the city's homeless: water.

With temperatures over 100 degrees in the forecast, officials say it's critical that this segment of society has access to drinking water to prevent heat-related incidents, which can sometimes turn fatal.

A tight economy, however, may not help the cause.

Bob Evans, president and CEO of United Food Bank in Mesa, one of the four collection sites in the city, said donations of water bottles have barely trickled in.

"We've done a lot of publicity, but it's just not coming in yet like we'd hoped," Evans said.

Evans added that the relatively cooler weather thus far may have resulted in people not thinking as much about donating water.

"I don't think it's as much on people's mind as when temperatures start hitting 100-plus every day," Evans said. "So I'm hoping it's just that the need hasn't really registered yet."

Michael Boos, director of Paz de Cristo, where the homeless can get water, also said the campaign has received a lukewarm response, although it's still too early to track donations.

"The donations haven't been as much this year, but this is just a start," Boos said.

The Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign runs until Aug 30.

For the second year in a row, the city is also helping coordinate these efforts by teaming up with area nonprofits including Paz de Cristo and United Food Bank to accept water donations. While Paz de Cristo has been providing water for several years, the city got involved to help organize collection points so there would be more places for people to donate water.

Lisa Wilson, Mesa's human services programs coordinator, said that at 50,000 bottles, donations were "more than enough" last year. But she isn't so sure this time.

"I hope people find it in their hearts to think of the homeless even in these lean times," Wilson said.

Cash donations are also being accepted.

Mesa isn't alone in its efforts. Water collection and distribution efforts have been stepped up since July 2005, when 30 homeless people died under extreme heat conditions.

"A lot of heat-related efforts are happening now because of that tragedy," said Brande Mead, human services planner at the Maricopa Association of Governments.

Providing water is especially critical during the summer months, especially for those outdoors, officials said.

Arizona's estimates of average annual heat-related deaths range from 30 to 50. The homeless and the aged are considered especially vulnerable.

With homeless shelters packed to capacity and not enough room for everyone, Mead said such efforts to provide water and to help people get temporary refuge from the heat and a place to cool down should help.

According to MAG statistics, a street count conducted on January 29 showed Mesa had 250 homeless people in the city compared with last year's 173. The count does not include those who live in shelters, Mead noted.

Across Maricopa County, 2,426 homeless people were counted, compared with 2,853 last year.

The numbers are sobering enough for those involved.

Boos said sometimes it's just important to remind people about the problems others face.

"People shouldn't die because they couldn't get something so basic," Boos said.

How to help

Mesa water donation sites:

Paz de Cristo, 424 W. Broadway Road

City of Grace Church, 655 E. University Drive

United Food Bank, 358 E. Javelina Ave.

Mesa Fire Department Volunteer Center, 2830 E. Adobe St.

For more information: Call (480) 644-5831.

Source: Mesa