St. Vincent de Paul has increased their heat relief services with the arrival of triple-digit temperatures in Arizona that make things worse for families already struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Arizona heat exacerbates the need the COVID-19 pandemic has already caused in our community for low-income Arizona families and our homeless population," Shannon Clancy, the associate executive director for St. Vincent de Paul, said, the organization reported on its website. 

Maricopa County reported 197 heat-related deaths last year, with 37% of those fatalities being homeless people, St. Vincent de Paul reported. The organization is concerned about how the challenges associated with the coronavirus overlapping with the heat will impact those who already have trouble paying their bills. Clancy said that is why they stress the importance of heat relief services, which runs through the end of August. 

The services they provide include: outdoor cooling stations, water truck, a cool place to sleep, financial help with rent and utility bills and food.