DALLAS (1080 KRLD)- Air conditioning could be the difference between life and death this weekend as temperatures reach dangerous levels. That’s why a Dallas nonprofit is asking for help getting people off the streets.
"It's important that people get out of this heat, from a medical perspective," says Pastor Wayne Walker, founder and CEO of OurCalling. "It's not just an uncomfortable day. There will be some people that will have heat exhaustion, some that could even have heat stroke on days like today."
OurCalling says its biggest concern within the city’s 10-thousand unsheltered homeless population is those who are older or who might already not be in the best of health.
To help people escape the heat, OurCalling is extending its shelter hours to 6 p.m. today. Tomorrow and Sunday the shelter will stay open until at least 3 p.m., with the option to extend.
"We'll be keeping our doors open later to provide a cool space for people to stay during the day, and we'll also be providing these, 'Beat the Heat' kits."
Walker says 'Beat the Heat' kits are filled with essential outdoor cooling supplies like water bottles, hats and sunscreen. Volunteers with OurCalling will be passing them out to those in need, and they're in desperate need of help keeping the kits in supply. Items like sunglasses, cool neck wraps, caps and sunscreen can be dropped off at the nonprofit’s main facility on 1702 S. Cesar Chavez Boulevard. You can also donate online.
"We want to make sure that [people are] cared for," Walker says. "And we need the entire community to support what we're doing, so that all of us can be a part of loving our city."
More information about OurCalling's extreme weather response, and how to help, can be found here.
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