Multiple distribution and cooling centers open in Houston area as residents find food, escape heat – Houston Public Media

Several distribution sites and cooling centers have opened throughout the Houston area for people in need of food and relief from the heat.

On Wednesday afternoon, Guadalupe Alardin stood in line at the Bayland Community Center, which served as both a distribution site and a cooling center for those seeking refuge from the heat. As she waited for food and water, she said that even though she knew a hurricane was coming toward Houston, she didn’t expect the power to be out for so many days.

“This is how we are right now, it’s a difficult situation,” she said in Spanish.

RELATED: Houston power outages: CenterPoint releases outage map; 1.3 million still without power after Beryl

Brenda Hernandez was another resident waiting in line at the community center. She said she didn’t expect the hurricane to hit so close to home. She added that some of the groceries she bought over the weekend were already spoiled after the power went out.

“For me it’s hard because I’m alone with two children,” she said in Spanish. “Buying and wasting food is really hard. We don’t have a place to put a light or at least a fan, nothing.”

Hernandez plans to stay in the cooling center indoors. Amalia Alvarez and her two dogs, Ruby and Argos, spent several hours inside the community center waiting for power to be restored.

“It’s comfortable,” she said, as her two dogs sat comfortably on the cool floor.

Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media

RELATED: When will my power be restored after Hurricane Beryl?

Other centres have opened across the city, including Lakewood Church, Crosby Community Centre and Acres Homes multi-service centre.

Throughout Wednesday afternoon, piles of water and food were handed out to hundreds of people outside the Acres Homes multi-service center. Like in Bayland, the community center also doubled as a cooling center. Earnestine Sykes took advantage of the cool air inside to charge her phone. It was her second day at the community center.

“It’s annoying to me, you know? It’s frustrating,” Sykes said. “It’s a big city. I don’t understand why Centerpoint can’t keep our lights on.”

Distribution centers will likely reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday while supplies last. For a full list of cooling centers and shelters in the Houston area, click here.