The Kitchen Calls on Community to Donate Bottled Water

(Springfield, MO) -- As temperatures climb, a non-profit agency that helps the homeless is in desperate need of water bottles.

On Thursday, The Kitchen, Inc. put out the request, saying any donations of water for its clients would be greatly appreciated.

"We're seeing more and more people that are coming to us from the community needing a place to stay cool," says Kippie Kutz, Director of Development. "That's especially true for Bill's Place."

Bill's Place (424 E. Commercial), a walk-in center, is a division of BurrellBehavioralHealthCenter.

"It's more for individuals in the community who have broken air conditioners, can't afford to run them, or someone who sleeps on the streets. A lot of people are walking to get help."

Residents at the adjacent Missouri Hotel are also suffering in the heat.

"There are 90 rooms and not one has air conditioning," adds Kutz. "Each one has a fan, but because the building was built back in the early 1900's, there's no venting."

Residents there must walk to the bottom floor for air conditioning in places like the dining room, library and lobby.

"We're providing the water to those residents and anyone who comes into our program that's hot and needs to hydrate," says Kutz.

To make water donations, you can drop them off at The Kitchen's administrative offices at 420 E. Pacific -- near Jefferson Avenue -- from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. After hours, you can drop off donations at the Missouri Hotel's front door at 420 E. Commercial.

Fore more information, call (417) 837-1500 or go online.