Submitted by Port of Olympia
The Port of Olympia (Port) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 47 partner with The Moore Wright Group to expand warehousing and distribution of goods to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Moore Wright Group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty, abuse, and abandonment in communities by providing hope. They partner with major organizations, such as Walmart, Good360, U-Line, Amazon, and many others, to accept donated items to help aid in accomplishing their mission.
During the pandemic, The Moore Wright Group recognized an opportunity to expand their focus from assisting local agencies and organizations with needed goods, to assisting government agencies, and organizations throughout the region with items communities desperately need. A few of the agencies and organizations they are assisting at this time include police and sheriff departments, hospitals, senior centers and Tribes. They are helping provide goods such as cleaning and hygiene supplies, heating and cooling household items, children toys and educational items, and even mattresses. This expansion and abundance of donated goods caused The Moore Wright Group to look for opportunities for additional space. The Port of Olympia and ILWU Local 47 were happy to assist.
“We see this as an opportunity to step out and serve Washington and our neighbors during this pandemic to give hope”, said Tanikka Watford Williams, The Executive Director of The Moore Wright Group. “We were getting calls from companies with truckloads of items they wanted to send to us, and at the same time getting calls and emails from organizations needing more items than they ever did before. We know firsthand funding is tight and the need is great. This partnership with the Port of Olympia and the ILWU Local 47, allows us to accept every truckload and accept partnerships to help our communities to be able to thrive again and give hope”.
The Port is donating all space and equipment to move and store the many truckloads and pallets of goods being donated. They are also facilitating the receiving and distribution of goods. ILWU Local 47, is donating all their time to receive and inventory the goods as well as receive and package orders for pick up.
Port of Olympia Executive Director, Sam Gibboney said, “Ports play a unique role in emergency response and disaster recovery. We are proud to partner with our Local Longshore Union 47 and The Moore Wright Group to help aid our community during this unprecedented and trying time.”
Due to the Port and ILWU Local 47’s assistance during this time, The Moore Wright Group is able to service a greater demographic in expanded service areas of Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Pierce, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Clark counties. The Moore Wright Group is serving over 58 non-profits and, faith-based organizations, hospitals, as well as government agencies, and school districts. Over the next two weeks The Moore Wright Group anticipates additional truckloads of hygiene items, children’s toys, educational items, household items, cleaning products, and personal protective equipment (PPE) items designated for healthcare agencies to arrive at the Port of Olympia.
