Before the full heat of the day had set in on Monday, officials with Ameren Missouri had already given 50 Energy Star window air conditioning units to the Samaritan Center, which will the distribute them to clients with medical needs.
For the sixth year, Ameren gave the units to the center to help combat the heat.
Marylyn DeFeo, volunteer executive director of the Samaritan Center, said with the heat they have seen an increase in the needs for all of their services. Last week they handed out all 128 box fans.
"It was hot then already and everyone needed a fan, so in one day we gave out all we had," she said.
DeFeo noted they are serving 1,400 families a month, many living in homes with no air conditioning or who cannot afford to pay an elevated bill from air conditioning.