To prepare for summer and support its pandemic response, the Human Services Campus is launching a series of ThirstAid water drives on the third Saturday of each month.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyday life, what remains constant is the extreme summer heat and its impact on individuals experiencing homelessness, according to a press release, citing the need for water donations and other items.

Beginning April 18, the ThirstAid water drive will accept donations from individuals willing to drive to the Harrison Street Gate at 1300 W. Harrison in Phoenix.

Donors are asked to pop the trunk or the back gate to their vehicle  for HSC staff and volunteers to do the rest during drop off, noted the release. 

“Our campus partner St. Joseph the Worker started ThirstAid a number of years ago and felt it was an effort from which the entire Human Services Campus could benefit,” said HSC, Inc. Development Director Steve Davis in a prepared statement.

“We estimate our need at 100,000 bottles of water a month for the six months from May through October.”

Since 100,000 water bottles a month are needed between May and October, Sundt Construction, Inc., with St. Joseph the Worker, is conducting a water drive with a goal to deliver up to 500,000 bottles of water to the campus on Thursday, May 7.

In addition to cases of bottled water, which also can be scheduled for drop-off by calling 602-282-0849 or by emailing volunteer@hsc-az.org, other items to be collected for the summer include:

• Summer Kits (sunscreen, hats, visors, sunglasses, Chapstick, aloe burn gel, reusable water bottles);
• COVID-19 items: trash bags, Clorox or similar cleaning wipes, exam gloves, paper or cloth face. 

HSC, a 501c3 nonprofit agency, owns and operates a 13-acre campus at 12th Avenue and Madison that houses 16 nonprofit organizations providing services and resources to people experiencing homelessness, the release added.

“Every day for a person experiencing homelessness is difficult. Summer heat makes it exponentially worse,” said HSC Executive Director Amy Schwabenlender in a prepared statement.

“Given the distancing guidelines for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, we have repurposed spaces across the property to serve as many individuals as possible.”

HSC and its partner agencies are encouraging individuals, especially the elderly and more vulnerable to COVID-19, to shelter in place by staying on the campus.

“Helping them to meet their most basic needs is critical to their survival,” Ms. Schwabenlender said.

Information: hsc-az.org.