This Memorial Day, St. Vincent de Paul launches its 100 Days of Summer initiative, inviting the community to follow and support the nonprofit for 100 days during the charity’s toughest season when need increases and donations typically decrease.

Running from roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day, SVdP’s 100 Days of Summer focuses on a different high-need item each month that helps combat the effects of extreme heat, summer food insecurity, and exposure to the elements.

June = Water

July = Food

August = Shelter

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“Water, food and shelter are some of the first and basic needs we can meet to help keep people safe, fed and alive this summer. And these needs grow exponentially with the season,” Associate CEO Shannon Clancy said. “The goal is to keep people engaged with SVdP, the need in their Arizona community, and with each other as we carry forward our desires to be a good neighbor beyond pandemic times.”

Shine by Sharing

The first opportunity to participate in the 100 Days initiative starts with the ABC15 Water drive in partnership with Bashas’ and Food City. For the month of June, SVdP is asking the community to donate online at stvincentdepaul.net/water or at the register of their local Bashas’ or Food City. Just $25 buys 200 bottles of water for SVdP to distribute through its services and street relief.

100 Days of Heat Relief

June 1 also marks the start of SVdP’s heat relief operations, offering outdoor cooling stations, ice water, overnight shelter in select dining rooms, rent/utility assistance to prevent homelessness and emergency food box deliveries to doorsteps.

SVdP’s Heat Relief locations

Mesa Dining Room

67 W. Broadway Rd., Mesa, Arizona 85210

7:30am to 3:00pm Tuesday – Saturday, 8am to noon Sunday & Monday 

Phoenix Dining Room

Human Services Campus, 1075 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

7am to 5pm, 7 days-a-week

Resource Center

Main Campus, 320 W. Watkins Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85007

8am to 6pm, 7 days-a-week

Sunnyslope Dining Room

9227 N. 10th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021

8:30am to 5:30pm Monday – Friday, 12:30pm to 5:30pm Saturday & Sunday

In 2020, Maricopa County recorded more than 300 heat-associated deaths of the nearly 500 statewide. Equally concerning are families behind on bills being forced onto the streets mid-summer when the heat is life-threatening. Low-income families already face typical summer challenges with higher utility bills, increased childcare costs and limited access to school food programs.

By staying engaged and supporting 100 Days of Summer, the community can help SVdP respond to all these increased summer needs.

Visit http://100days.stvincentdepaul.net/ to learn more and get started.