NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The near-record temperatures forecasted for this week are an inconvenience for most people. For Nashville's homeless population, they can be dangerous.
"We've seen a trend for the last couple of years, it's getting hotter and staying hotter actually longer than it normally does," said Edward Grimes, with the Nashville Rescue Mission. "And when that happens, we really get concerned about things like heat stroke and dehydration."
On Tuesday, the Nashville Rescue Mission turned its dayroom into a day shelter, to give men and women a chance to get into the air conditioned building and find some relief from the heat.
"It's a blessing to have a place like this," said Roger Eddings, who is homeless. "If you didn't have a place like this, the heat would be deadly."
On Wednesday morning, the organization will activate its "Hot Patrol," a program that hands out water to anyone who needs it.
"We'll be going to the downtown areas where the homeless populate and just offer them a cool glass of water," said Grimes.
The people on the receiving end of that charity said it makes a big difference.
"Being out in the heat with no water and no place to cool out is dangerous," said Anna Cruz.
MDHA's most recent homeless count found more than 2,000 homeless people living in Metro Nashville.
Grimes says about 800 men and women are currently staying in their shelters. He said when the temperature goes up, the need goes up as well.
My Comment - It's going to be a hot summer high 90's already 6/4/11
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