Donated Goods Management

I.	PURPOSE
	This section describes a process for addressing unmet needs following a disaster. It also describes the management of goods and services donated to the citizens of Washington County following a disaster.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTION
	A.	Situation
		1.	Unmet needs refers to needs of disaster victims that have not been met by traditional organizations such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and government. This may be due to ignorance of assistance available, reluctance of individuals to seek charitable assistance, ineligibility for programs available, or the result of difficulty in identification of needy individuals.
		2.	Typical unmet needs can include the following:
			a.	Financial Assistance
			b.	Housing
			c.	Food
			d.	Transportation
			e.	Home furnishings
			f.	Special health care
			g.	Debris removal
			h.	Replacement of lost personal items
		3.	Some national organizations have established telephone numbers for disaster relief inquiries; these include FEMA, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Besides government assistance, there are many sources of assistance available through church and civic groups, benevolent organizations, charities, foundations, and funds established during previous disasters in the United States.
		4.	Historically, persons not affected by a disaster are eager to assist disaster victims through donations of money, goods and / or services. In most cases, donated goods and services are essential to disaster recovery.
		5.	Following any disaster, an organized system of management for the identification, receipt and distribution of donated goods and services is essential. Suitable facilities, equipment and personnel and preplanning are necessary for the management of donated goods.
		6.	The distribution of donated goods and services must be coordinated with the identification of unmet needs within the community. The timely release of information to the public regarding needs, points of contact and telephone numbers is essential.
	B.	Assumptions
		1.	Following a disaster, there will be local people with legitimate unmet needs.
		2.	Organization is essential to identify unmet needs and match these needs with donated goods and services.
		3.	Assistance and volunteers will be available from traditional sources to help with resolution of unmet needs in Washington County.
		4.	Washington County Center for Human Services, the County Health Department, assisted by local churches, civic organizations, volunteers, etc., are capable of identifying most unmet needs in the County.
		5.	Donated goods, services and cash will become available, and can be used to fulfill unmet needs; therefore, coordination of unmet needs and donated goods and services is essential to recovery.
		6.	Suitable space and equipment will be available to receive, sort and store donated goods.
		7.	Attempts to donate inappropriate and unwanted goods can be expected; these goods include loose, unsorted or dirty clothing, perishable foods and other unneeded items.
		8.	An aggressive public information effort will expedite the distribution of goods and services as well as limit an influx of unwanted goods.
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	A permanent committee to address unmet needs and donated goods and services has been established. The Washington County Director of Center for Human Services or his designee chairs this committee. The Unmet Needs / Donated Goods and Services Committee is comprised of the following:
		1.	Washington County Director of Center for Human Services or designee
		2.	Public Information Officer
		3.	Emergency Management Coordinator
		4.	American Red Cross
		5.	Plymouth Food Pantry
		6.	Salvation Army representative
		7.	County Health Director
		8.	United Way Chairman
		9.	Plymouth Ministerial Association
		Additionally, representatives will be solicited from churches and civic organizations in Washington County.
		The composition of the Committee will expand as required by the disaster event.
	B.	This committee shall have the following goals:
		1.	Identification of citizens with unmet needs.
		2.	Assessment and verification of needs.
		3.	Prioritization of individual needs.
		4.	Identification of means to fill needs.
		5.	Coordination of effort / avoidance of duplication.
		6.	Donated goods management (receipt, sorting and distribution)
		7.	Development of pertinent public information.
	C.	The Committee will meet and train as necessary to prepare for its tasks. Training will include:
		1.	Review of the Committee's goal.
		2.	Review of guidance and lessons learned from other jurisdictions and events, utilizing presentations from experienced persons.
		3.	Review of the Washington County Emergency Operations Plan.
		4.	Development of Standard Operating Procedures for the Committee.
		5.	Review of the State and Federal roles in disaster situations.
	D.	Assistance from benevolent associations such as churches and civic organizations, as well as private citizens, can be anticipated. The Committee will maintain close liaison with these groups in order to maximize the effectiveness of their assistance. These associations will be invited to participate in Committee meetings when providing assistance locally.
	E.	The Committee will staff a position in Disaster Application Centers.
	F.	The State of North Carolina will maintain a centralized donations management system for supporting State, local, and voluntary organization needs with offers of donated goods, monies and volunteer services. The State will maintain a central phone number for handling donation inquiries and maintain a data base system for recording offers of donated goods, monies and volunteer services. The Unmet Needs / Donated Goods and Services Committee will work with the State, through the Division of Emergency Management State EOC, to solicit appropriate assistance.
	G.	Central reception and sorting center(s) for donated goods will be established. Donated goods will be transported from these locations to appropriate distribution centers convenient to the affected population (e.g. volunteer fire departments, churches, civic organizations, schools, etc.).