Ft. Worth (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Salvation Army has opened 14 locations across the Metroplex where people can get water or sit in air conditioning.
“We’ve had several people come to get out of the elements already,” says Becky Wach, the commander of the shelter near Downtown Ft. Worth.
Wach says demand will grow as summer wears on.
“The longer the time grows, ten days, 20 days, 30 days, people start getting more tired and needing that assistance,” she says.
Already, though, people have been stopping for a drink.
“This is one of the places where I can come and cool off,” says Harry Grater.
In 2011, DFW set a record with 71 days hotter than 100 degrees. Even with increased rainfall over the past two years, Grater says the heat still takes a toll.
“The past couple years, they’ve been hotter,” he says, laughing. “They’ve been a lot hotter.”
In an average year, DFW records its first 100 degree day on July 1 and will reach 100 degrees 18 times.
The locations of the Salvation Army’s 14 cooling stations:
The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter 5302 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, Texas
The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter 1855 E. Lancaster Avenue Fort Worth, Texas
Cedar Crest (East Oak Cliff) 1007 Hutchins Road Dallas, TX 75203
Denton 1508 East McKinney Street Denton, TX 76201
Irving 250 East Grauwyler Road Irving, TX 75061
McKinney 600 Wilson Creek Pkwy McKinney, TX 75069
Arlington 712 W. Abram Street Arlington, TX 76013
Oak Cliff 1617 W. Jefferson Blvd Dallas, TX 75208
Pleasant Grove 8341 Elam Road Dallas, Texas 75217
Garland 451 W. Ave D Garland, TX 75040
Lewisville 207 Elm Street Lewisville, TX 75067
Plano 3528 E. 14th Street Plano, TX 75074
Northside Corps (N. Fort Worth) 3023 NW 24th St Fort Worth, TX 7610
The Salvation Army, Ellis County 620 Farley St. Waxahachie, TX 75165
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