For the last three years, Esperanza has prepared sack lunches for Grace Lutheran Church’s heat respite program for the homeless. Grace, located in downtown Phoenix, recently advised us of some changes to the program.
Grace and eight other organizations (many of them churches) have established a partnership with Arizona Faith Network (AFN). The nine organizations will provide the facilities. AFN will manage the heat respite program and provide bottled water, snacks, hygiene kits, etc. Depending on location, the heat respite program runs from early May through August.
During July, Esperanza will collect donations of bottled water and snacks. You can help by:
- Purchasing case(s) of bottled water and placing them in the sanctuary. Purchasing snacks and placing them in the large box labeled ‘Snacks For Heat Respite” located in the fellowship hall.
- Placing change and currency in the large water bottle located on the altar platform in the sanctuary. Esperanza’s Community Outreach Team will use this money to purchase bottled water and snacks.
- Providing online donations of money and snacks directly to AFN. Here is the link: https://www.
arizonafaithnetwork.org/ heatrelief
Snacks should be healthy, non-perishable, and soft, as some homeless have dental issues. Examples are Nutri-grain bars and squeezable apple sauce. Mandarin “Cuties” oranges are desired.
Esperanza’s Community Outreach Team will deliver the bottled water and snacks to First Church UCC, located a few blocks from Grace. AFN will distribute the water and snacks to the 10 heat respite centers as needed.
For questions, please contact Larry Hanson (480-231-4023 or [email protected]) or a member of the Community Outreach Team.