The Salvation Army of North Texas has launched 13 cooling and hydration stations across five counties to safeguard vulnerable residents from the intense summer heat. Emergency canteens are also providing water directly to unsheltered individuals, while financial assistance for utility bills is available to low-income families. Residents can visit the organization’s website for detailed schedules and donation options.
As the heat index in North Texas soars into the triple digits for the first time this summer, The Salvation Army has activated all its cooling and hydration facilities. These centers are aimed at offering immediate shelter, water, and food to those in need, particularly in Dallas, Denton, Collin, Ellis, and Tarrant counties. The organization, which is the largest social services provider in the region, is also deploying mobile feeding units to deliver hydration and support directly to unsheltered populations.
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, surpassing fatalities from tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods. Unsheltered individuals, seniors, children, and those with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable due to limited access to air conditioning and medical care.
The activation of these cooling stations comes after an unusually warm spring that shattered local temperature records dating back to the 1960s. Meteorologists anticipate a hotter-than-normal summer for Texas, following a trend seen in 2025 when the Dallas-Fort Worth area experienced seven days with temperatures at or above 100 degrees.
Major Rob Webb, Area Commander of The Salvation Army of North Texas, emphasized the organization’s commitment to assisting the most vulnerable members of the community, stating, “We are dedicated to providing our most vulnerable neighbors with the resources they need to have relief from the extreme heat.” He added that the organization’s services extend beyond immediate heat relief, aiming for long-term support and success for those in need.
The North Texas Area Command activates its heat relief protocol when forecasts predict temperatures of 100 degrees or higher for multiple days or when the heat index is expected to exceed 105 degrees for more than two consecutive days. In addition to physical cooling centers, financial assistance for rising summer utility bills is also being offered to low-income families and individuals.
The currently operational heat relief locations include:
- Dallas County: Garland Corps Community Center, Irving Corps Community Center, Oak Cliff Corps Community Center, Pleasant Grove Corps Community Center, and Carr P. Collins Social Service Center (hydration station).
- Tarrant County: Arlington Corps Community Center, Northside Corps Community Center, and J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center (hydration station).
- Collin County: Plano Corps Community Center and McKinney Corps Community Center.
- Denton County: Denton Corps Community Center and Lewisville Corps Community Center.
- Ellis County: Waxahachie Corps Community Center.
Beyond seasonal emergency relief, The Salvation Army operates 21 centers across six counties in North Texas, providing shelter for approximately 1,300 individuals each night and feeding 10,000 people weekly through its food pantries.
For more information regarding specific operating hours for each cooling station, as well as donation opportunities for the relief effort, visit SalvationArmyNTX.org/north-Texas/heat-relief.
