Elected leaders tour Direct Relief during pandemic

GOLETA, Calif. - Direct Relief gave a tour to elected officials interested in how they are helping health clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Direct Relief President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Tighe told Rep. Salud Carbajal and Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gregg Hart how they have been helping big cities in the United States like never before.

Tighe said Los Angeles and other big cities reached out for personal protective gear.

The non-profit has also been busy sending supplies to local medical clinics that are on the front lines with people coming down with the virus.

Direct Relief is not funded by the government.

Thanks to donations it has a new headquarters in Goleta and is now helping people suffering from the pandemic around the world.

Direct Relief has made more than 11,000 deliveries with supplies valued at more than $86 million.

"Where the rubber hits the road is really always in someone's town, so we do our best to plug in and listen, and bring in resources that make the most sense, in this case it is relatively modest types of material, the PPE, it just has to be done in a large scale, " said Tighe.

Rep. Carbajal said the government can learn from what they do so well.

"They are just providing an extraordinary humanitarian effort to help so many individuals, families and residents of our world," said Carbajal.

To donate, you can visit DirectRelief.org.