Local charities try to help seniors, others keep cool as summer gets hotter
COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)
Mid-Missouri charities are helping the elderly and others get air conditioning as the hot summer months approach.
The EPA says heat-related deaths in the months of May through September have spiked in recent years. On average in the United States, there are over 67,000 emergency room visits because of heat and 700 heat-related deaths each year, according to the CDC.
Local charities such as The Samaritan Center and Voluntary Action Center have programs to get air conditioning to those who need it.
Ameren Missouri donated 100 air conditioning units to the Samaritan Center that will be distributed to families in need throughout the summer.
Denise Kuensting, project specialist at the Samaritan Center, tells ABC 17 about the importance of this partnership.
"Ameren provides the air conditioner to us, in order to be able to distribute to the local communities to all those that are in need. This helps them to be able to be more comfortable and safe during the summer months" Kuensting said.
Ameren Regional Executive, Lori Hoelscher explains the cost breakdown of running energy star certified units like the ones Samaritan Center received.
"Energy Star Certified AC units, they do cost less to operate, so these particular units will cost less than a dollar a day for the homeowner to operate." Hoelscher said.
Anyone interested in possibly getting an air conditioning unit needs to be registered with the Samaritan Center and visit the center during their open pantry hours.
The Voluntary Action Center's Air Conditioning Exchange Program allows low-income Columbia Water and Light and Boone Electric customers to exchange their older or inefficient window air conditioning units for new ones that are more energy efficient. These energy-efficient units also allow customers to save money on their utility bills while staying cool and safe this summer.
To see if you qualify for VAC's Exchange program you can visit the organization's website.
