PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 25, 2022): Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has awarded a $50,000 grant to Human Services Campus (HSC), Inc. to support emergency heat relief efforts.

HSC Executive Director Amy Schwabenlender said the funds will be used for a variety of needs including bottled water, shade canopies, fans and more.

“We are very grateful to Piper Trust for supporting our efforts to provide as much heat relief as possible to individuals experiencing homelessness who may be living on the campus and on the streets surrounding the campus, a number that has grown significantly since the first of the year,” she said.

The Maricopa County Department of Health reported 338 heat-related deaths in 2021, a 454% increase compared to 2014. Phoenix has the highest per capita rates for heat deaths. Reported heat-related fatalities include people found both indoors and outdoors, with 68% of heat-related deaths happening to individuals 50 and older.

“The Human Services Campus provides vital services to our most vulnerable community members who are trying to manage through Arizona’s hot summer months,” said Mary Jane Rynd, president and CEO of Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. “We are truly grateful for the work of Maricopa County’s Heat Relief Network and its strong coordination of heat refuge supports.”

This month, HSC began a summer-long water-drive and hygiene-product collection campaign to meet anticipated heat-related needs. At least 100,000 bottles of water are needed monthly through September. Campus staff hands out more than 3,000 bottles a day.

Urgent seasonal hygiene-product needs include deodorant, adult underwear and socks (new and in packages), electrolyte packs and sunscreen, hats, visors, solid grey bandanas (no patterns), sunglasses, lip balm, aloe burn gel and insulated water bottles half-gallon size are preferred).

Community members interested in participating in the drive also can visit the HSC Amazon Wish List or by making an online donation to help cover the cost of the needed items at the HSC website, www.keystochangeaz.org.

For more information visit www.keystochangeaz.org.