Mesa’s annual Hydration Donation Campaign has kicked off a month early this year, aiming to save more lives during Arizona’s extreme heat season. With a record number of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County in 2023 and predictions of above-normal temperatures during the 2024 heat season, the City, community, and business partners are collecting life-saving bottles of water for Mesa’s most vulnerable residents.
The campaign’s launch coincides with Arizona Heat Awareness Week (May 6-10), emphasizing the dangers of summer heat in the region. Emergency Manager Robert Campa of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department warns of the high risks of dehydration, particularly for those who are unsheltered or lack access to relief from the sun. Without donations of water, the outcomes of our emergency responses to cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke would be much worse.
The campaign began with substantial donations from local businesses: 38,400 bottles of water from Walmart stores in Mesa and 30,240 bottles from Niagara Bottling. Despite this strong start, Mesa’s community partners are urging the public to help collect 700,000 bottles of water from now through September 27th.
Community Involvement
Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia praised the community’s generosity, emphasizing the need to provide water during the hot summer months. “Last summer was one of the hottest on record,” Heredia said. “As the temperatures rise, let’s all pitch in by donating water bottles to ensure nobody goes thirsty in the summer heat. It’s a real lifesaver for those who need it most.”
United Food Bank, a key partner in the campaign, distributes donated water to numerous nonprofit organizations in Mesa and throughout the Valley. “We are thrilled to once again be partnering with the City of Mesa for this annual water drive,” said Jason Reed, president and CEO of United Food Bank. “We hope you join us by making a monetary or water donation to help provide our community the water they need throughout the summer.”
Support the Cause
Businesses and individuals can take part in the “One-Ton Challenge” by donating a pallet of water (about 2,016 bottles) by stopping by the Klaus Team office at Ellsworth and Guadalupe and donating $210, the cost of a pallet, directly to United Food Bank via a direct (tax-deductible) donation device. Participants in the challenge can also have their photo taken and shared on social media!
Donating water is easy: residents can drop off water Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Klaus Team office. Alternatively, a list of other drop-off locations is available at www.mesaaz.gov/H2OMesa. Cash donations are also accepted by United Food Bank.
Call for Volunteers
Resurrection Street Ministry (RSM), one of the water donation drop-off locations, will be a Day Respite Center from May 20 through September, providing services like air conditioning, showers, and food to those in need. RSM is looking for volunteers to guide visitors to the different respite services or to simply be a friend. Interested individuals should contact Mark Dye at markdyersm@gmail.com for more information.
Join the Campaign
The Mesa Chamber of Commerce encourages businesses and community groups to organize campaigns to donate water for the campaign. “The Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign is a great way for businesses, nonprofit groups, and other associations to network and organize efforts to collect cases of water,” said Sally Harrison, Mesa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
Since its inception in 2007, the campaign has helped provide more than 6.6 million bottles of water. Join in this summer to support this life-saving initiative and help Mesa’s most vulnerable residents stay hydrated and safe.
