Operation S.A.V.E.: Sharing the Abundance Volunteer Effort

From Dorms to Community
Collection, Sorting and Donation of Clothing, Food, and General Items

Operation S.A.V.E. was initiated by the CIAC and Facilities Services at the end of the 1996-97 academic year. While it did not begin in partnership with the Tacoma Public School District, its strongest level of success has been with TPS and their programs for families.

There are many organizations that come together to make this a success. The Operation S.A.V.E. pickup crew is comprised of young people from Metro Parks Special Populations program led by Professor David Droge. Approximately four hundred 60 gallon bags were donated this year by Simpson/Tacoma Kraft and our own Facilities Department added quite a lot themselves. During move-out, bags are filled by students as they prepare to leave campus for the summer. The pick up crew, with the assistance of members of our staff, alumni, students and other community partners pick up the bags from the residential facilities and deliver them to Kilworth Chapel basement where the items are then sorted by even more community volunteers, Puget Sound faculty, staff and students.

Arrangements are made for the Tacoma Public Schools to pick up all of the sorted items and take them to be cleaned and then delivered to various sites. This past year, items were shared with other area organizations and schools such as Peace Community Center and Gateways for Youth and Families. In all, it has been calculated that more than 400-60 gallon bags worth of items were donated to various community recipients. Operation S.A.V.E. is truly a collaborative effort between the university and our community partners.

	Delivery and sorting begins on moveout day with the help of faculty, staff, students, & community partners...
	Three days later, our community partners are ready to take delivery for disbursement to their programs.