Homeless get some 'cool' relief

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The homeless got some extra help in beating the heat on Wednesday. An organization called the 'I Am Waters Foundation' donated about 76,000 bottles of water to the ARCH Center in Downtown Austin on Wednesday.

"The shelters love the water because they often don't have money allocated to buy water. And the amounts of water they would need to keep everybody hydrated," said Elena Davis, founder of the organization.

"Already this spring, we've seen temperatures climb into the 100 degree range and when that happens, the homeless are in our city-center, surrounded by concrete and asphalt, are struck hardest," said Jim Orman, Executive Director of Front Steps, Inc.

ARCH will see upward of 25 to 50 people a day exhibiting symptoms of heat-related injury when hydration resources are scarce and the temperatures soar.

"So, there's a deep value in the bottle of water," Davis said.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes delivers meals and drinks to many locations around the City. They are one of the distributors that will be delivering the water through September. About 700 bottles each day. One of the most popular areas they already deliver food to is Wooldridge Park off San Antonio Street and 9th Street in Downtown Austin.

"You look around. Every one of these guys are still sitting around here and everyone of them is in the shade. They wouldn't want to be out here in the heat," said Victor Vertucci.

Vertucci said that dozens would normally be standing on the corner waiting for the truck, but the last several afternoons many have been in the shade and only come out when the truck is parked.

"We're out here for a half hour or hour and get back in an air conditioned truck. These poor souls are out here all day long in this heat and they sleep on the sidewalk," he said.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes usually has gallons of water in their storage tanks within the trucks they use to deliver meals. They usually never run out. But, the problem is that the styrofoam cups the homeless use to drink from can only last them so long.

The new water bottles from the 'I Am Waters Foundation' can be re-used and have inspirational one word messages to give the thousands of homeless in Austin hope.

"They don't feel forgotten and forsaken," Davis said. "And the word. Them knowing its special for them and not for anybody else."