NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The Metro Action Commission has started its summer cooling program, which provides fans and air conditioners to families who need them.
As temperatures and the heat index goes up in Middle Tennessee, so does the demand for cooling units.
Senior citizens, families with children under six years old and disabled residents with medical conditions that are affected by extreme heat conditions are eligible to receive a free fan and/or air conditioning unit during the summer months.
The program is income-based and people with medical needs must have a note from a physician that says they have to be in a cool environment.
“I anticipate as the temperatures remain steadily warm, we’ll get more and more applications and we’ll deplete our supply that we have here now,” said Lisa McCrady with the Metro Action Commission.
The program, which runs from May until August, is supported largely by monetary donations and new air conditioning units from the public.
“Donations are highly important. Nashville has stepped up in many occasions and made financial contributions and also have brought units to us. Nashville has been incredible to our agency, in order for us to assist families usually when we send the plea out we have a lot of people asking how they can help,” McCrady said.
The Metro Action Commission typically gives 200 cooling units out per summer, but with extreme temperatures in the forecast, those numbers can rise to as many as 900 units.
To make a donation or to learn more about applying for a cooling unit, click here.