NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 22, 2026
Surplus vehicles awarded to local not-for-profit organizations
OLYMPIA, Wash. – At their May 20, 2026, meeting, the Intercity Transit Authority awarded retired vanpool vans to four organizations through a competitive application and review process.
Now in its 23rd year, the Intercity Transit (IT) Van Grant program has awarded 88 former vanpool vehicles to community organizations serving Intercity Transit’s service area (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and their urban growth areas). The vehicles are retired from service due to mileage and years of use and would otherwise be sold as surplus.
These vehicles will continue to serve our community as their organizations use them to provide vital transportation services.
This year’s awardees are:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County (BGCTC) serves young people and families across nine Club locations in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, and Rochester. The mission of BGCTC is to inspire and enable youth to realize their greatness and reach their full potential. BGCTC believes all children and teens, no matter who they are or where they are from, deserve the chance to create a great future for themselves. The clubs are available during out-of-school hours to help inspire and guide youth in a positive direction through academic enrichment, service leadership and healthy lifestyle activities.
With a dedicated van, BGCTC will address unmet transportation needs by providing transportation for evening and weekend programs, college visits, career exploration events, and community activities for youth who might otherwise be unable to participate.
Wee Love Learning Early Learning Center serves children from 1 month through 11 years of age by providing full-day childcare and early learning programs, as well as before- and after-school care for school-age children. Wee Love Learning supports working families throughout Thurston County, including families using state childcare assistance (DSHS) and those requiring full-day care due to work schedules. Transportation remains a significant challenge, as many families lack reliable transportation for consistent drop-off, pick-up, and participation in school-age programming.
The van awarded to the organization will help address this need by increasing participation, reducing missed care days, and improving access to preschool and school-age programs during the school year and summer months.
Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative (IHTC) provides comprehensive services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking, as well as individuals at high risk of exploitation throughout Thurston County. The organization serves a highly vulnerable population, including individuals who are homeless or unstably housed, youth, young adults, immigrants, refugees, and survivors experiencing poverty, trauma, or involvement with social service and justice systems. Many individuals served do not have access to safe, reliable transportation.
With the grant-funded van, IHTC will expand its ability to transport survivors safely to essential services throughout Thurston County, reduce missed appointments caused by transportation barriers, and respond more quickly to urgent situations, such as assisting individuals actively exiting trafficking situations or relocating to safe housing.
City Gates Ministries has served Thurston County for 30 years by providing practical, relationship-based support that helps stabilize individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges. In 2025, City Gates served more than 10,480 individuals, supported by over 9,400 volunteer hours, and provided essential resources — including food, furniture, and housing stabilization support — to thousands of households.
With the granted van, City Gates Ministries will implement a coordinated transportation program that supports medical and recovery transportation, employment and job training access, senior services, and youth and community programming.
Intercity Transit regularly awards retired vanpool vehicles to nonprofit and community organizations within its service area through a competitive review and selection process.
For questions about this program or to be notified about future opportunities, please contact vanpool@intercitytransit.com.
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For More Information:
media@intercitytransit.com