Every week for five years two men have spent many hours driving a truck for the St. Vincent de Paul Society around the Valley to bring water to the homeless in places where social services can't reach.

Joseph Yanez and Jose Cardenas bring the lifesaving liquid to areas where they know fresh water is needed. They use the truck, donated to St. Vincent de Paul and named after the event that raised the funds for it. The men frequent the isolated urban areas, highway overpasses, areas around canals, public parks, buildings that have been abandoned, and alleyways between buildings to visit the homeless in the area, St. Vincent de Paul reported.

The duo has made weekly routes for five years across the Valley on the Celebrity Fight Night Water Truck, named for the fundraising event that paid for it.

Yanez, who is the program supervisor, told St. Vincent de Paul what he sees on his routes.

“I see a lot of sadness,” Joseph told St. Vincent de Paul. “I see a lot of need.”

The relief truck started as a way to get water to people on the street and in remote places, especially during the hot summer months when lives depend on access to water.

Cardenas, who is the assistant program supervisor, said the homeless need fresh water in the dry summer months.

“One of the main concerns, especially in the summer and especially in the desert, is that these people die of dehydration,” Jose told St. Vincent de Paul.

Maricopa County reported 3,767 homeless people this year, almost trip the number since the truck began its route five years ago.

In summer months, people outdoors need to drink a half gallon of water every hour to avoid dehydration that leads to death, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.