LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – As the heat continues, a non-profit downtown needs your help getting water.
FOX5 first told you about Bruce 222 Whole Community Solutions Center back in July, when we had a stretch of triple digit temperatures.
Owner, Keith Courtney was giving out water bottles and giving out snacks to those in need in the area.
After our story aired, Courtney said the response was amazing but it was short lived, but they still need help as they serve up to 80 people a day.
“Everything we get is donated so from just to regular people coming in, we had a real good push when we were on your newscast but it was like 15 minutes of fame,” Courtney said.
FOX5 went back to the center Thursday, as Courtney gave us a first hand look at the neighborhood they serve and why your help is so needed.
“We are between Bruce and Lewis, Charleston and Fremont pretty much the fentanyl epicenter of the city,” Courtney said.
Courtney walked us through the area as he looked for people to hep and described it as an area being ridden with homelessness, prostitutions and drug use.
Courtney’s resource center does not just hand out water and snacks, they also have a mobile clinic, help with medication and bus passes.
“They don’t have a primary care doctor, and they don’t get their medications so by us having a mobile clinic twice a week its huge” Courtney said.
Courtney also showed FOX5 an alleyway where he said there were five overdose deaths over the summer, particularly related to fentanyl.
“So they could sleep through the day and they would take too much and they would die,” Courtney said. “So it was just heart breaking to come into my office and see somebody dead on the street right in front of my facility.”
Courtney reiterated that the area his center is in, does not get a lot of help so with a “Free Water” sign outside his facility, that was his way of enticing those in the area to come in and let them know of the other resources he has to offer.
“They give me water and they feed me, I was thirsty a lot with these 100, three digit days you stay thirsty,” a resident by the name Deb said.
At the facility by mid-day there were already people waiting for help, but resources are limited.
“We were down to three cases of water,” Courtney said.
That is when Joaquin Hagedorn with St. Thomas More Catholic Community came in.
“I saw them on the news one night and then they are in one of the worst parts of town and this community needs it more than ever,” Hagedorn said. “I am happy to say we have a good friendship and a bond.”
“If we can’t give them anything else we want to at least give them water when it is a thousand degrees,” Courtney said.
It is a necessity that will last them even after the doors close for the day.
Besides water, they also need microwavable meals, snacks, hygiene products and clothing.
If you would like to drop these items off you can do so at: 222. S Bruce St, Las Vegas NV 89101 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Courtney has also set up a GoFundMe to help purchasing supplies.
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