Tempe launches bottled water drive to help unhoused people, others

As temperatures continue to climb this summer, Tempe is launching a bottled water drive to help unsheltered people and others in need stay hydrated and safe.

Join the city by dropping off water at four locations through July 31 to support our community. Donations will help stock Tempe’s faith-partner cooling centers and assist the city’s HOPE homeless outreach team as they engage with people out in the field about shelter and resources, according to a city release.

Donation centers and their hours are:

Church of the Epiphany, 2222 S. Price Road

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Sunday

Community Christian Church, 1701 S. College Ave. (opens July 22)

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday

1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday

University Presbyterian Church, 139 E. Alameda Drive

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday
• 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday

Hundred Mile Brewing, 690 N. Scottsdale Road

• 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Thursday
• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday to Saturday
• 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday

Arizona’s heat can be dangerous and sometimes deadly for people who are unsheltered, those who are ill, older adults and households without access to adequate air conditioning.

Arizona Faith Network’s executive director Rev. Katie Sexton said that with the city of Tempe, the pair is deeply committed to giving the city’s cooling centers and HOPE team access to clean bottled water to those in need.

“During the scorching Arizona summers, these donations are vital in preventing heat-related illnesses and providing much-needed relief to our most vulnerable community members,” Sexton stated in the release. “Every bottle of water donated is an opportunity to give back and save someone's life."

To thank the community, Hundred Mile Brewing is holding a raffle for donations made at the brewery.

Drop off bottled water — 12 packs or larger — at the brewery and snap a photo of it in front of the brewing equipment, tagging Hundred Mile on social media to enter a raffle for a $100 gift card. The gift card winner will be announced Aug. 1.

Sue Rigler, Hundred Mile owner and founder, said in the release that as a local business owner who calls Tempe home, she is committed to supporting the community and that she is thankful for HOPE’s efforts in assisting the homeless population.

"Programs like HOPE enable me and my patrons to help make life a bit more comfortable for others,” Rigler said.

Tempe offers ten cooling centers around the city. Anyone in need can find a location seven days a week, with day and evening hours, the release added. The city is also a partner in the regional Heat Relief Network providing safe places for people to cool off and hydrate May 1 through Sept. 30.