Programs intended to help people survive record-breaking temperatures forecast in the area during the weekend and beyond are becoming available through Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, The Salvation Army and Bradley/Cleveland Community Services Agency.
According to latest forecasts, temperatures in the Southeast Tennessee region could potentially hit as high as 107 by Saturday.
Wesley Memorial opened its doors Wednesday afternoon to individuals and families in need of shelter from high temperatures during the anticipated heat wave.
The Rev. Robert Smith and Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland issued a joint statement stressing the importance of seeking shelter from the extreme heat instead of waiting it out in a house without air conditioning.
The church is located at 3405 Peerless Road, N.W. For more information, call 423-472-9578. The Salvation Army continues to distribute new box fans to area residents trying to find relief from the extreme heat of summer. So far, the agency has distributed nearly 100 fans and there are approximately 200 families still on the waiting list.
“With temperatures so high, it can become life threatening,” Area Commander Major Al Newsome said. “That’s why The Salvation Army is on the front lines distributing fans and cool water to keep our neighbors safe.”
If you or someone you know is in need of a fan, call 423-308-3467. Individuals can donate new box fans and make monetary gifts to The Salvation Army at 437 Inman St.West or mail donations to 437 Inman Street West, Cleveland, TN 37311. For more information please visit www.csarmy.org.
With temperatures climbing above 100 degrees, assistance is needed now more than ever, officials said. CSA has no immediate programs available, but the agency will begin accepting applications July 16 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program is designed to assist elderly, handicapped, and low-income households to offset heating or cooling expenses with a one-time payment to their energy source.
People who wish to make an application may call CSA on July 9 for an appointment. All applications will be taken by appointment only. Anyone unable to apply in person may have a representative come into the office for them. The CSA central office is located at 155 6th St. S.E.
Jacqueline Smartt-Westfield said it will be necessary to produce Social Security cards and dates of birth of all members of the household, a history of gas or electric bills for the past 12 months, all copies of energy bills from all other sources used and proof of all income for everyone who has earnings.
Some acceptable proofs of income are paycheck stubs for the past 13 weeks, copies of court orders or legal documents, award letters, approval of benefits notice, signed and dated statements of employers, copies of income tax returns for self-employed income, bank or financial institution records such as direct deposit slips or copies of Social Security benefit checks dated within the same calendar year as the date of application.
Payments for approved clients will be made directly to the utility company on behalf of the client.
For more information and requirement guidelines, please contact Smartt-Westfield at 423-479-4111, ext. 101.
