Since 2007, the city of Mesa has partnered with the Mesa Chamber Commerce, Resurrection Street Ministry, United Food Bank and other organizations for its annual hydration donation campaign.
During the campaign, which lasts until Sept. 30, Mesa residents are encouraged to donate water bottles and money to United Food Bank. The water is distributed through United Food Bank to Valley agencies that serve vulnerable populations — such as unhoused populations, senior citizens, residents living without air conditioning — at risk of heat-related health issues during the extreme summer heat in Mesa.
“We have a fairly decent sized population of people in need who are susceptible to heat emergencies from dehydration. The campaign started in 2008 after the Maricopa Association of Governments challenged participating agencies such as Mesa to come up with a plan to help homeless folks during the summer,” Mesa Vice Mayor Scott Somers said. “It followed a year where we had a significant number of heat related deaths in the county.”
