As air temperatures hover near 100 and heat indices lead to heat advisories across Green Country, the Salvation Army seeks the public's help in raising funds for families needing utility bill assistance.
According to the Salvation Army, the elderly, families with young children and people with disabilities are the most susceptible during the summer months.
"It can make the difference between life and death literally, particularly with elderly people. So we want to be able to stand in the gap for those who cannot," said Captain Ken Chapman, area commander for the Tulsa area of the Salvation Army.
To bridge that gap, Chapman says the Salvation Army will raise funds as part of its Home Energy Aid month.
All money donated to the Salvation Army at Guthrie Green on Wednesday during the food truck lunch will be matched by Tulsa area energy providers PSO and ONG.
"Our brand, Doing the Most Good, is not a brag. That is a pledge that we will do the most good with what people entrust to us, and we make sure the people who are the most vulnerable are the ones that receive this aid," Chapman said.
The Salvation Army says the average request for utility bill assistance is $130, and at least 2,500 area families need help with their energy bills.
So far, Chapman says the organization has raised several hundred dollars but hopes to increase that into several thousand dollars.
Tulsans heading to Guthrie Green from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. will find a red kettle and free ice cream from the Salvation Army.
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