Temperatures are rising in the Coachella Valley! In an effort to provide a break from the triple-digit temperatures and an escape from the summer heat, our Cooling Center is now open. The center’s hours are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, seven days a week. Water, reading materials, and television are available daily, and free public lunch is served Monday through Friday at 11:00 AM. The community also has access to use computers and telephones to search for and inquire about employment opportunities as well.
This time of year, the weather can be dangerous as well as uncomfortable. Martha’s Village and Kitchen offers the Cooling Center for vulnerable individuals, seniors, those without a home, the disabled and others in need of temporary relief from the heat and to reduce air conditioning use for those on fixed and moderate incomes.
Linda Barrack, President and CEO of Martha’s Village and Kitchen, said “We want people to stay safe in the heat. Our Cooling Center is a vital resource for the community. It helps cut down on electric costs for the working poor and those on fixed incomes. For those without shelter or a home, it offers an escape from our extreme desert weather. Opening up our Cooling Center is just one of the ways we try to help those in need.”
Stay Safe
Extreme heat can cause “heat exhaustion,” characterized by heavy sweating, intense thirst, weakness, dizziness, visual disturbances, nausea, headache, breathlessness, and palpitations. Most of these symptoms can be relieved by seeking cooler temperatures, drinking clear fluids and resting. But if not treated, they can also lead to “heat stroke” and death. The County of Riverside Community Action Partnership recommends the following to protect your health in hot weather:
- Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat, or use an umbrella for shade.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing.
- Slow down—rest in the shade or a cool place when possible.
- Never leave a child, elderly, disabled person, or animal alone in a vehicle. Keep shaded areas with fresh water for outdoor animals.
- Turn on your air conditioner.
- Check on friends and neighbors who are elderly, have medical conditions, or are at higher risk for problems when it is very hot.
- If you do not have an air conditioner, use a fan, make sure your windows are open, and visit a cool center.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
Help Fund the Cooling Center
Please consider donating today to help those in need. Your donation will also help us keep the doors of our Cooling Center open. The summer heat increases the demand for our services, but it is also the time of year when support often wanes. Too many people in the Coachella Valley have nowhere to go; especially during these hot, dry months.
I Want To Help Keep People Cool And Safe This Summer
Thank you for your support. For more information about our Cooling Center, please feel free to call us at 760-347-4741. To learn more about what we do at Martha’s Village and Kitchen, visit our “Programs” page by clicking HERE.