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…