The Salvation Army has started its heat relief program as North Texas deals with an early start to summer weather. The Salvation Army says heat last summer put additional stress on nonprofits that help people during extreme heat or cold.
The Texas Department of State Health Services says 334 people died from heat in 2023, the most since the agency started tracking heat-related deaths in 1989. The previous record was just 160 in 2011.
"We actually have had to kick off the heat relief a little earlier than we have in past years," says Salvation Army Area Commander Paul McFarland.
A line of cars stretched outside the Salvation Army's campus in Dallas Wednesday with people waiting to get food and bottled water.
"It feels helpful," one woman said. "Everything costs more, and I do have a part-time job, but it's just hard."
Among those loading food and water into cars were volunteers from Reliant Energy and the Dallas Cowboys. Retired Fullback Timmy Newsome was among volunteers.
"It's a two-fold mission: create nourishment for people who come here and also give them some hope," Newsome says.
Newsome says he hopes the presence of former players, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the team's mascot, Rowdy, can bring more attention to services available to help people.
"The services are there. We just need to create more outreach," he says. "Hunger is a big problem in America, so whenever we can do things like this to get the word out, everybody wins."
The Salvation Army's McFarland says the organization will start giving out box fans later this summer. He says the need increases around summer as electric bills increase and kids are home from school, so families might spend more money on food.
"Lately, these last few years, throw inflation in on that, and that makes it even more challenging," he says.
McFarland says the Salvation Army will provide food for about 200 kids at summer camps and the organization's camp in Midlothian. While the summer relief program started early, he says the Salvation Army will also provide 1,000 fans to families starting later this summer.
"We anticipate this year, we're going to need more," he says. "We've seen an increase already in demand for services as folks are struggling to make ends meet."
People can make donations or learn more at https://www.salvationarmyntx.org/ .
In addition to working with the Salvation Army, Reliant Energy will open "Beat the Heat" centers across Texas. A complete list and other assistance for people struggling to pay bills is available at https://www.reliant.com/en/about/community/beat-the-heat .
"Summer's hot, and it's going to be hotter, so we want to make sure people are staying safe and cool," says Reliant's Leanne Schneider.
Schneider says homeowners can also prepare their homes to use less energy when the hottest weather arrives.
"First thing is the four-by-four rule," she says. "If you're going to be out of the house more than four hours, turn up your thermostat four degrees because you really don't need to cool your house when you're not in there. When you get back and turn it back down, it'll actually cool off in enough time."
Schneider urges people to get a smart thermostat so they can program their system to make those changes.
She also suggests people close their blinds and curtains during the day to block sunlight, use appliances like the washer, dryer and dishwasher at night and run ceiling fans but only when a room is occupied.
"It makes you feel cooler because that breeze is blowing on you," she says. "When you're outside, the breeze is blowing, it'll feel cooler but it's the same temperature."
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