The Texas Aid Network, a program produced by the nonprofit group, NPower Texas, has launched an improved website where Texas-based nonprofits can search for donated goods and transportation providers to ship those goods to needed destinations.


The previous site will connect more than 2,000 Texas nonprofits, such as food banks and disaster relief organizations, with donors, and hopes to move 8 million pounds of donated goods by the end of 2011.

The redesigned site also hopes to benefit transportation partners by providing a platform where trucking professionals can search and bid for nonprofits' shipping jobs and provide donated or discounted loads. The web-based service allows transportation providers to specifically search for jobs in cities where they would otherwise move empty or incomplete truckloads at a financial loss.

"Transportation is one the biggest challenges Texas relief organizations face," says Brad Watts, Texas Aid Network's senior program manager. "Many groups don't have the vehicles or budget to move donation offers, which can be anything from food to building or disaster supplies."

Through Texas Aid Network transportation partners, nonprofits such as the Texas Food Bank Network have received discounted and donated moves averaging 10 to 20 percent off retail shipping transportation for an average savings of approximately $135 per move. "When you consider that $1 can often pay for five donated meals, as many as 675 more people may be fed per move," adds Watts.

"Transporting food to fill warehouses is a major cost to our operations and this cost-saving tool has been of great value," said Barbara Anderson, state director for the Texas Food Bank Network.

Website seeks trucking partners, aims to help Texas nonprofits move 8 million pounds of donated goods by the end of 2011.

Click here for more information or to search for transportation opportunities with nonprofits.