From Deseret News archives:

Groups plea for help with hydrating the homeless

Published: Sunday, July 20, 2008 12:11 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Cold winters can be hard on the homeless, but record heat is life-threatening.

In the winter, even those without shelter can use blankets to keep warm. In the summer, especially when predicted moderate temperatures spike to record heat, the homeless can't always cool off. Worse, they can't find enough clean drinking water.

Because dehydration can happen in a matter of hours during 100-degree days and can quickly become life-threatening, area homeless advocates are putting out a call for something neither a desert nor anyone who lives in one can get enough of: water.

Despite planning ahead, the sweltering dog days of summer, combined with a wilting economy and the seasonal increase in the number of homeless, have area shelters renewing a call for bottled water.

The local Volunteers of America is spearheading an effort to hydrate the homeless.

Dehydration and sunstroke are common among those who don't have a place to cool off or rest adequately, VOA and other homeless advocacy groups say, because they cannot find relief from a common condition of mid- and late July in Utah — sweltering daytime temperatures and high nighttime low temperatures.

Story continues below
Other hazards of the season — mosquito bites and sunburn —— present continuing problems as well, said VOA spokeswoman Michelle Templin.

Daily necessities such as insect repellent and sunscreen are actually luxuries and in short supply for the homeless, Templin said, adding that the need has turned urgent this week.

"Heat and bugs and too much sun can be uncomfortable for most of us, the combination can be dangerous for the homeless," Templin said. "Having access to water and protection that we might take for granted is the key to survival for many of the homeless in our community."

The rule of thumb if people are wondering if water donations are needed is to check the temperature, she said. If it's above 90, the need is above normal and increasing with every degree.

VOA's Homeless Outreach team and the Street Outreach team for homeless teens encounter people on a daily basis who are in need of basic survival items, she said.

Supplies of water, sunscreen and repellent are being handed out through the two outreach programs every day, and supplies are already at late-summer levels, she said.

"Every day we are meeting people on the streets who need water and other basics, and almost everyone asks for bug spray," said Jessica Fleming, outreach program manager, noting that insect repellent is the greatest need at the moment.

Recent comments

Some of you might like to try being homeless, because you are hopeless.

Brenda | July 22, 2008 at 11:58 a.m.

Look, the homeless have taken care of themselves for eons. In the...

MHP | July 20, 2008 at 8:32 p.m.


Can I sugget a few drinking fountains be placed on the sides or...

Art | July 20, 2008 at 1:57 p.m.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

I laughed at the names that were given to the snakes, such clever names. I...

Harpring's NBA career is over

I used you to really hope you were always kidding with your political posts....

RE: Anon @ 5:47 There is a BIG difference between freedom of and freedom...

Schanze shuts down 'Awesome Computers'

The only ones that are disturbed are the liberal media that hates guns so bad...

Matt it has been awesome to have you here as a player and role model. I hope...

I'm a USU grad, and saw a great shirt about US not you! "DEE GLEN SMITH...

Hey look, Jazz Cop and CL are agreeing with each other on back-to-back...

Hey, the papers are going bankrupt because of their inability to adjust their...

Harpring's NBA career is over

Matt, you will be truly missed. Thanks for showing us what playing with real...

2A All-State teams

Good job to all the ladies this season. Hard work and determination has it's...

Advertisements