Texas Aid Network draws truckers

Texas Aid Network draws truckers    The Texas Aid Network, a program developed by nonprofit NPower Texas, has launched a new website to provide a 'one-stop shop' where Texas nonprofits can search for donated goods and transportation providers to ship those goods to needed destinations.
   The network hopes to move 8 million pounds of donated goods by the end of 2011, while connecting more than 2,000 Texas nonprofits, such as food banks and disaster relief organizations, with transporters.
   The redesigned site also hopes to benefit transportation partners by providing a platform where truckers can search and bid for nonprofits’ shipping jobs and provide donated or discounted loads. The service allows transportation providers to 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,' said Brad Watts, Texas Aid Network’s senior program manager, in a statement. '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,' Watts said.
   “I like this system because I get an email right away when there is a job,” said Andy Chen, senior transportation representative with C.H. Robinson. “While I do it for the business reasons, it’s always good to know we are helping nonprofits move their freight.”
   For more details, access the Texas Aid Network's Web site.