ALAN, Food Shippers of America, and Feeding America Respond to Oklahoma Tornados

OKLAHOMA CITY — American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) received a generous contribution of $10,000 from Food Shippers of America (FSA) for Oklahoma Tornado relief efforts. ALAN is working with Feeding America (FA) to deliver food and essential supplies to the disaster area. Estimates indicate that as many as 40,000 people need emergency food assistance, in addition to those already experiencing food insecurity.

ALAN is using $5,000 for immediate needs and will dedicate $5,000 for ongoing relief efforts over the coming weeks and months. FA has already coordinated the delivery of over 70 semi-trailer truckloads of food (2 million pounds) as a supplement to the relief supplies collected locally by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The food bank set up a local distribution center in Moore to get supplies to the community right away. Working with the food bank, ALAN is sponsoring materials handling equipment and transportation for food distribution.

“ALAN is helping coordinate a quick response in the aftermath of the Moore storms and we’ll continue to work in the weeks and months ahead to help the community rebuild,” said Kathy Fulton, director of operations for ALAN.

“The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s logistics expertise and unique capabilities for safely warehousing and transporting food and grocery items has been an essential part of the response to recent storms,” said Patrick Crawford, director of disaster services for Feeding America, “so we very much appreciate ALAN and FSA sponsoring forklifts to augment logistics capacity as a part of community-based relief efforts.”

“ALAN is great partner for Food Shippers of America and a perfect conduit to ensure that our contributions are directed to the right disaster areas and those individuals that have lost so much as a result of the Oklahoma Tornado. Our Board of Directors and Member Companies of FSA overwhelmingly support the efforts of ALAN through our partnership and FSA is proud to be on their team assisting their efforts in responding to national disasters, ” said Royce Fisk, executive director of Food Shippers of America.

The city of Moore has received an overwhelming response from businesses and individuals offering support. If you would like to help the victims of this disaster by making a financial contribution to an established non-profit please visit http://www.nvoad.org/current-disasters/tornadoes to learn more from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

As rebuilding efforts move forward, the city and relief organizations will detail specific needs for goods and services dedicated to long-term community recovery. Companies that want to help with rebuilding can view those needs at ALAN’s website www.alanaid.org/how-to-help/offersupplies/, or pledge support in reserve.

ALAN staff will visit the affected area in the days and weeks ahead and continue to provide information on essential supplies and services needed through its web portal. “At ALAN, we believe that the unique capacity and expertise of supply chain organizations can be important assets in any recovery operation,” said Fulton. “We are grateful for our partnership with FSA, FA and VOAD’s and are honored to help in any way we can. Delivering and distributing needed supplies in a disaster can be challenging, and our supply chain partners are always willing to help. Aid to victims can be delivered quickly and efficiently with donations of transportation, warehouse space, equipment and logistics expertise.”

To support ALAN’s continuing work engaging the supply chain community in disaster relief efforts or to stay up-to-date on road conditions, curfews, power supplies, and communications, visit ALAN on Facebook, Twitter @ALANaid or on our website at www.alanaid.org.