BEND, OR -- Central Oregon is in for another very hot and dry day, Tuesday. Stephen Piercey, with Shepherd’s House Ministries, says it’s especially tough on people living unsheltered, "You can see the wear and tear on their body, like posturing and body language. And just seeing the impact on what this heat is doing to some very at-risk individuals." After several days in the triple-digits, KBND News asked Piercey what he’s seeing at the men’s shelter on Division Street in Bend. "You see a lot of lethargy, you see severe sunburns, and unfortunately, dehydration being a major daily issue, the actual threat of loss of life." Piercey says, "Definitely, with these heat spikes and everything and just lack of shade and cooling, and just with the number of houseless individuals that we have in our community, the biggest desperate need right now is water." 

Shepherd’s House serves around 250 meals a day at its various locations. Its mobile outreach team also provides showers and distributes essentials. The nonprofit tries to distribute water to each person, "Our hope is to be able to supply them with something that could be the difference between life and death." He adds, "We would love to be able to hand out at least four or five, just due to the heat being as much as it is right now. So, four or five regular water bottles. But it’s also contingent on what someone is able to carry."

As of Monay afternoon, Shepherd's House was down to just a few cases of bottled water and is asking for the community to help by donating cases or pallets. Those donations can be dropped off at the Division Street Shelter in Bend (1854 NE Division) or the Redmond center (1350 S Hwy 97). Monetary donations are also accepted.