In a heartening display of resourcefulness, Pima County has turned what once was federal surplus into essential provisions for local communities in need. Salvaging an estimated $800,000 worth of new goods, a small expenditure of roughly $1,500 for truck rentals and fuel has brought tangible relief to many.
When an opening arose to acquire surplus clothing and essential items from the U.S. General Services Administration, the Pima County's Community & Workforce Development Department didn't hesitate. These items, originally earmarked for legally processed asylum seekers, found a new destination thanks to the county's agile response. "It's a very awesome win for the County," Bill Finch, a CWD coordinator who helped spearhead the gathering of goods, told Pima County News.
Stacks upon stacks of clothing, along with other necessities such as car seats and diapers, now fill the Salvation Army and other storage spaces. These will soon find their way to community members facing hardship, through the collaborative efforts of the CWD and over 30 non-profit partners, including the City of Tucson.
Facilitating this logistical feat meant not one, but three trips to a Border Patrol headquarters in Yuma, which initially was taken aback by the unexpected CWD visit. Yet, even with the initial surprise, Finch capitalized on the opportunity, developing a relationship with the facility's operations director, which paved the way for subsequent hauls. "If you have no one else picking up, I would love to come back and continue this relationship," he said, according to Pima County News.
Expected to aid an array of individuals, from youth to veterans, the bounty of goods will also support transitional shelters such as The Craycroft. Andy Flagg, CWD Deputy Director, highlighted the significance of this windfall for the county, especially for those seeking services. "It's nice to have stuff like this that can supplement our programming and doesn't come with those strings attached," Flagg explained in an interview with Pima County News.
