LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The extreme heat hitting the Las Vegas Valley is putting a strain on volunteers who give their time to deliver food to those in need.
Rodney Smith and his friends are among those volunteers, finding creative ways to keep food from spoiling and stay cool themselves.
“Our seniors seem to be the most stressed by the heat,” Smith said. “Often they live in apartments that don’t have all the necessities, and one of those is air conditioning. In many cases, the doors and windows are open because they have air conditioning.”
Smith said that can be a challenge when he goes out and delivers food, and he’s focusing on the historic Westside neighborhood and parts of North Las Vegas.
Heat can also have a negative effect on food.
“These will last a pretty long time as long as you keep them in the shade,” Smith said.
He added that the food was donated by Amazon food distribution centers.
Smith and his friend, Douglas Randles, managed to fit all their food into a pickup truck, but there was one problem: the car’s air conditioning wouldn’t work.
The extreme heat hitting the Las Vegas Valley is putting a strain on volunteers who are giving their time to deliver food to those in need. (KLAS)
“Yeah, the air conditioning is only on at 60 mph with the windows open and it’s 113 degrees so it’s pretty hot,” Randles said.
Health experts warn that excessive heat can be extremely dangerous for people who work outdoors, like Smith and Randles.
“They need to take breaks more often. They need to drink fluids more often. They need to get out of the sun and cool down more often,” said Dr. Ketan Patel, medical director of UMC’s emergency department.
Meanwhile, Smith and Randles said they won’t let the heat stop them.
“I love teaming up with him because we all have a desire to help these people, and there are a lot of people who need help right now,” Randles said.
On July 4th, they will be distributing food to veterans in need.
