Mesa's 19th Annual Hydration Donation Campaign is underway to save more lives during Arizonas extreme heat season. With last year being the hottest on record in the valley and another extremely hot summer being forecast, the campaign has started and continues through Sept. 30 to help Mesa's most vulnerable residents. This morning's kickoff event at United Food Bank included a donation of 34,560 bottles of water from Walmart and cash donations from several businesses totaling $19,500 including EdgeCore, EdgeConneX, Holder Construction, Global Roofing and EP Electric. Mesa's community partners are urging the public to help collect 500,000 bottles of water and $40,000 in online cash donations to purchase water to people in need.
"Mesa's Hydration Donation Campaign is a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together for a common cause," said Mayor Mark Freeman. "Every case of water and every dollar donated helps save lives during Arizona's brutal summer months. I'm grateful for the generosity of our residents, businesses and partners who continue to step up year after year to ensure no one in Mesa goes without this most basic needwater."
United Food Bank distributes donated water to numerous nonprofit organizations in Mesa and throughout the valley, including Paz De Cristo, Mesa United Way and A New Leaf-East Valley Men's Center.
Mesa's Hydration Donation campaign has been saving lives since 2007 during Arizonas extremely hot summers. Since the campaign began, the Mesa community has donated more than 7.6 million bottles of water.
"The Arizona summer months are known for their extreme heat, and we want to make sure each of our neighbors has plenty of water to stay hydrated," said Jason Reed, the president and CEO of United Food Bank. "We are thrilled to once again be partnering with the City of Mesa for this annual water drive. We hope you join us by making a monetary or water donation to help provide our community the water they need throughout the summer."
This year, the campaign is making a bigger push to donate cash online. Its easier to donate this way and you avoid the challenge of lifting large, heavy cases of water. Donations to United Food Bank also qualify for the Arizona Charitable Giving Tax Credit, which is up to $987 for married filing jointly or $495 if filing singly on your 2025 state income tax return.
With the Valley already experiencing triple dig temperatures, the Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign is a stark reminder of the dangers of Arizona's summer heat.
"The risks of dehydration are great for anyone exposed to the triple-digit temperatures, especially those who are unsheltered or dont have a place to easily get out of the sun," said Robert Campa, Emergency Manager with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, Office of Emergency Management. "Without donations of water, the outcomes of our emergency responses to cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke would be much worse."
The Mesa Chamber of Commerce is encouraging businesses and community groups to organize campaigns to donate water and cash for the campaign.
"The Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign is a great way for businesses, nonprofit groups and other associations to network and organize efforts to collect cases of water or raise money for United Food Bank to buy more cases of water," said Sally Harrison, Mesa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. "For several years, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce has organized friendly competitions to get water donations and we are happy to do it again, along with encouraging groups to match donations of money for this great lifesaving cause again this summer."
Residents can donate water at various drop-off locations throughout the City. The complete list of locations is available at www.mesaaz.gov/H2OMesa. Cash donations are also accepted by United Food Bank.
The City of Mesa Water Resources is also continuing and expanding its use of Hydration Stations, which are water bottle refill stations available year-round in public areas easily accessible to anyone who needs a drink of water. A map with the locations is available online.