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Submitted by Intercity Transit

Intercity Transit has selected seven organizations to receive retired vans through a competitive application and review process. The organizations will provide vital transportation services to their clients. Intercity Transit Authority Chair Debbie Sullivan said, “Our surplus Van Grant program extends our mission at Intercity Transit to help Thurston County residents with their transportation needs. Giving these vans a new life with non-profits makes good sense.”

  • Together! Intercity Transit Van Grant
    Intercity Transit General Manager, Ann Freeman Manzanares, hands over the keys to Meagan Darrow, Deputy Director of TOGETHER!. Photo courtesy: Intercity Transit

    The Lacey Veterans Services Hub will serve elderly and disabled veterans by scheduling trips that connect Tumwater Square with the Hub and American Lake Veteran’s Administration. The majority of veterans served will be low income and/or suffering from a service-related disability.

  • Community Youth Services works with low income and at-risk youth, aged 12-24, to overcome impact of abuse, abandonment and the stigma of poverty and homelessness. Community Youth Services operates Youth Build, a project to teach critical work skills such as punctuality and dependability, transporting youth to hands-on construction job sites. Community Youth Services serves abused, abandoned, neglected, low-income and homeless youth.
  • Senior Services for South Sound will transport seniors to activities such as the Senior Nutrition Program, Services to at Risk Seniors (STARS) and Adult Day Care and Respite Programs.
  • TOGETHER! will transport low-income, rural and at-risk youth and families to community events, Learning Centers and medical, vision and dental appointments.
  • Yelm Senior Center will provide transportation for seniors to vital social services, supporting senior’s health, dignity and independence. The service will allow seniors to participate in events that enhance physical and mental health of participants.
  • Thurston County Food Bank will transport volunteers and clients to gleaning locations in rural areas, providing 30,000 pounds annually of gleaned produce to Thurston County residents in need.
  • Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute offers positive, low-cost after-school activities and education for low-income, at-risk Native American youths. The van will be used to transport Thurston County youth to and from programs that enrich their lives, create resiliency and connect them to a community they might not otherwise have access to. These will include outdoor skills, science education, filmmaking, acting, leadership training and Native culture.

Now in its 14th year, Intercity Transit’s Van Grant program has awarded 48 former vanpool vehicles to community organizations to provide transportation services to clients in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm and their urban growth areas. The vehicles are retired due to miles and time in service, and would otherwise be sold as surplus. Vanpool Manager Carolyn Newsome says, “This year’s van grantees will use these vehicles to serve some of our most vulnerable members of our community. We’re proud to be a part of that.”

Each year Intercity Transit grants retired vanpool vehicles to nonprofit or community organizations in our service district through a competitive review and award process. Applications are generally due in October and awards are announced in November/December. For questions about this program, please contact Carolyn Newsome at cnewsome@intercitytransit.com.

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