A truckload of medical and hygiene supplies valued at $96,000 arrived at The Center of Owensboro-Daviess County on Tuesday morning, marking the largest donation yet in a growing partnership between The Center and Louisville-based nonprofit SOS International.
This delivery will serve 36 local organizations, providing critical resources for groups aiding homeless individuals, families in need, children, mothers, and pregnant women.
“In the spring of 2024, the SOS delivery supported 14 agencies and schools with $63,400 in resources,” said Erica Wade, executive director of The Center. “Since then, SOS has delivered an additional $25,000 in supplies, bringing the total to $184,568 for the year. This growing partnership underscores the impact we can make when we work together.”
The Center has partnered with SOS for more than four years and has conducted at least two deliveries annually since 2020. According to Wade, each delivery has seen steadily increasing orders, reflecting the needs of the Green River region.
“Our connection with SOS is another way for The Center to show support for the service organizations in our area,” Wade said. “Access to these free supplies allows these organizations to redirect the money they would have spent on these items back into their programming. Our impact can stretch so much further when we collaborate to serve our community.”
SOS, which specializes in redistributing surplus medical supplies and equipment, recovers more than 500,000 pounds of materials annually from hospitals and medical facilities, preventing waste while supporting health equity locally and globally.
Wade outlined how the distribution process ensures efficiency.
“The Center team reached out to our community partners, providing a direct link to the SOS supply order form. SOS does a fantastic job of filling the requests, boxing and labeling the items, and then bringing them to Owensboro for distribution,” she said. “Organizations will pick up their orders at The Center’s parking lot on New Hartford Road on Tuesday, November 19.”
She said this year’s donations reflect an expanding effort by SOS to support the region.
“Our partnership with SOS International continues to grow and evolve,” Wade said. “We are incredibly grateful for this relationship and the opportunities it brings to positively impact our community.”
SOS is one of six accredited medical surplus recovery organizations in the U.S., serving communities across Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and beyond.
For more information, visit soshealthandhope.org or TheCenterODC.org.
