As part of the annual Thirst Aid Heat Relief Drive, Keys to Change hosts a monthly collection event throughout the summer, as a convenient way for community members to drop off individual contributions or drive supplies collected from their community. The next event takes place July 12 at 9am.
Requested items include cases of water, electrolyte packets, hats, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, personal-size umbrellas (for shade). Thirst Aid Heat Relief Drive is a collaborative effort benefiting all 13 agencies at Key Campus, serving thousands of unhoused individuals each week, ensuring consistent access to hydration and protection during Arizona’s most dangerous months. The July event is part of the summer-long series of monthly drives running through September. Learn more at www.ThirstAidAZ.org.
Keys to Change teams up with a different Key Campus partner each month to promote Thirst Aid. Circle the City is the July featured partner and operates the health clinic and medical respite at Key Campus, while the clinic also acts as a Cooling Center in the summer months.
- Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. to noon
- Key Campus south gate — 1300 W. Harrison Street (15th Avenue, one block South of Madison
- In 2024, Maricopa County identified 608 heat-related deaths, one of the deadliest years on record—with nearly half involving people experiencing homelessness. Key Campus distributes up to 120,000 bottles of water each month to individuals experiencing homelessness, the majority of which are donated by the community through the Thirst Aid drive.
- Quote from Amy Schwabenlender, CEO, Keys to Change: “For the unhoused community in Maricopa County, Key Campus is designed to address all aspects of the human experience, in a low-barrier, one-stop campus environment,” says Amy Schwabenlender, CEO of Keys to Change. “It’s hard to imagine having to endure the summer heat 24 hours a day, with no respite, no break, no shade. With Thirst Aid, that’s what we’re asking the community to do – help us stock up on the supplies you’d take with you if you had to brave the heat. Water, electrolyte packets, a wide-brimmed hat, booties for your dog’s paws, something to wipe your brow…these are survival supplies when you’re sleeping on the streets.”
- Quote from Kim Despres, CEO, Circle the City: “Circle the City is proud to participate in the ‘Thirst Aid’ campaign alongside Keys to Change and our community partners. These vital donations will directly support individuals facing homelessness during the hottest and most dangerous months of the year. Together, we are showing what it means to meet people where they are—with dignity, care, and hope.”
- Drive-up water donations in action
- Volunteers unloading and organizing supplies
- Stacks of donated water bottles
- Interviews with Keys to Change or Circle the City staff (available upon request)
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Media Contacts:
Kim Beaudoin
Marketing and Communications Manager
Keys to Change
602-282-0849
kbeaudoin@keystochangeaz.org
Hunter Scott
Director of Marketing and Communications
Circle the City
602-809-5412
hscott@circlethecity.org
