The American Logistics Aid Network asks IWLA members for support on several crisis fronts. If you have the available resources to help, we encourage your donations and will promote your activities across the association networks.

The following list is grouped by type of need.

Material Handling Equipment

MHE is currently the highest priority need. Permanent donations are preferred, but we have had some businesses provide extended no-fee leases.

Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is a primary distribution site for bottled water. The bank has expanded its operations into additional space and is in need of:

1 – Propane-powered forklift

4 – Electric Pallet Jacks w/Zero-turn Radius

8 – Electric pallet jacks

2 – Stand-up Rider (Double Pallet)

1 – Stand-up electric reach truck

1 – Electric Fork Truck (3-Wheel Sit Down)

Adventist Community Services is operating a warehouse for the State of Michigan, receiving donations of bottled water, filters, and other items. The group then sorts and delivers these items to community groups for distribution.  Adventist needs:

1 or 2 Forklifts – Indoor, propane or electric with side-shifting. (If volunteer drivers are available, that would also be appreciated.)

2 – Pallet jacks

30 – Double- or triple-wall Gaylord/pallet boxes

24 – Rolls 15″x1500′ stretch wrap

Harvest Hope Food Bank is continuing to support increased requests for food following the October 2015 floods. The bank needs:

5 – 7 Electric pallet jacks

Expertise

A large food bank in Texas seeks pro-bono consulting services from a warehouse technology expert to assist in selecting a replacement for its current suite of tools. The food bank uses voice technology for picking, but would like to add other warehouse functions to be voice directed in order to improve order and inventory accuracy and productivity. The food bank has had initial conversations with leading vendors, but is seeking a neutral, expert opinion to assist in the analysis.

ACS needs volunteer forklift operators in Flint, Mich.

Transportation

Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is seeking transportation support. It needs the following support for refrigerated transportation:

2 – Two day cab tandem axle tractors

2 – 53 ft. Refrigerated Trailers w/ Lift Gate (Min. 4,000 LBS.)

2 – 26 ft. Refrigerated Straight Trucks w/ Lift Gate (Min. 4,000 LBS.)

CURRENT DISASTERS / RESPONSES

Cyclone Winston – Fiji

We are monitoring our partner responses to Cyclone Winston, which made landfall in Fiji as a Category 5 cyclone. At least 29 people lost their lives, and 13,000+ are in shelters. We anticipate requests for transportation support as U.S. agencies mobilize support.

Zika Virus

We continue to monitor partner responses to the Zika outbreak. As of now we do not have any open requests, but anticipate this to change as additional U.S. cases are reported.

European Refugee Crisis

As of now we have received only one request; ground transportation which has been covered. This situation continues to evolve.

OTHER ALAN ACTIVITIES

ALAN is actively working on improvements to its internal processes. The three areas of focus are volunteer management, marketing, and governance. Additional areas to be addressed are operations processes, fundraising, and administration. ALAN welcomes your ideas on what and how we should improve in these areas. Contact Kathy Fulton at Kathy@ALANaid.org.

WERC and DC Velocity’s annual DC metrics study is offering an opportunity for survey respondents to give back to charity. For each completed response, the group will make a $3 donation to one of four charitable organizations – ALAN, Feeding America, St. Jude’s, or Wounded Warrior Project. The survey closes next week, so please submit your response now and share with your networks. http://new.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_b2TafRJeVnOGrfD

ALAN thank you all for your unique and important contributions to humanitarian response!