UPDATE: SVDP is now out of fans and AC units are is “actively working to replenish supply, and seeking donations to do so.”
The oppressive Cincinnati summer is here and, for the 20th year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is giving away free fans and air conditioning units to help those in need beat the heat.
“We all know that summers in Cincinnati can be brutally hot and humid,” says Mike Dunn, executive director of SVDP-Cincinnati, in a release. “A fan or AC unit can go a long way to providing comfort, and can truly benefit those suffering from certain health conditions.”
In May, the organization began distributing box fans on a walk-up basis at its Neyer Outreach Center (1146 Bank St., West End) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will keep doing so until it goes through its supply.
SVDP Marketing and Communications Manager Kristen Gallagher says people who want a fan should call 513-562-8850 in advance of their arrival.
SVDP is also giving away air conditioning units to those who are 65 or older or those who have a documented medical condition. You must fill out an application at svdpcincinnati.org/ac.
As of right now, all AC applications are on a waitlist until SVDP can re-up its supply.
“As of yesterday, we have distributed 723 fans and 525 AC units, putting us ahead of what we did throughout all of last summer (477 fans and 419 AC units),” Gallagher tells CityBeat.
SVDP is actively accepting donations to help cover the cost of more units.
“Right now, we are working to raise more funds to continue to provide heat relief to neighbors during the hottest weeks of the year,” says Gallagher. “A donation of $15 can provide a fan to a neighbor, and $120 can provide an air conditioner.”
You can either get a fan or an AC unit from SVDP, but not both. Anyone who has gotten an air conditioner from them in the past four years is not eligible to receive another one this year. And you can only get a fan for free every other year.
For more information, visit svdpcincinnati.org.
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This article appears in The Burger Issue 2021.