For 27 years, the Base Supply Store has been more than just a source of office supplies and mission-essential items. It represents a partnership with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and the AbilityOne Program, creating employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired while serving those who work on post.
“Anyone that’s on base can use the Redstone Base Supply Center,” Susanne Willis, director of sales and retail operations for AIDB, said. “If they are doing work for the government here and are using the product on Redstone Arsenal, they can buy from us.”
The store accepts UPC cards as its primary form of payment and processes Form 9 contracts, purchase agreements and Defense Logistics Agency tailored logistics orders.
While the shop offers familiar office and supply items, its mission stretches well beyond sales. About 75% of its workforce is blind or visually impaired, giving jobs to people who might not otherwise have opportunities in traditional manufacturing or retail.
“Our mission is to employ blind or visually impaired people,” Willis said. “We’re allowing them to be able to have a self-sustaining life. That’s our primary mission.”
The program is part of AbilityOne, created under the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, which requires federal agencies to purchase certain supplies and services from nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or have severe disabilities. Nationwide, the program provides work for more than 45,000 Americans.
In Talladega, Alabama Industries for the Blind operates a 200,000-square-foot facility where workers manufacture and assemble everything from military-issue neckties to mop heads for Navy ships, helmet covers, writing pads, pillowcases and kit bags. The plant also assembles toner cartridges and offers screen printing and embroidery services.
“If you come to our manufacturing facility, you see us make paper, for example,” Jonathan Sherbert, executive director of AIDB Industries, said. “Most places that’s automated, but we’re not going to automate it because it takes away jobs. Our mission isn’t to make the paper efficiently; our job is to employ the people.”
Sherbert said the Base Supply Store functions as a direct link between that workforce and the installation’s needs. “The base contracts with us to supply the center, and we provide the goods and services for the operations of the base and the units housed here,” he said.
Ross Gagliano, chief of plans and operations for the Logistics Readiness Center, said the relationship is mutually beneficial. “We’re happy to support them,” he said. “They provide a needed service, and we try to make it beneficial for both.”
The Base Supply Store will be closed Oct. 1-7 for annual inventory and reopen Oct. 8. For emergency requirements during that time, call 256-876-4011.
For more information about the store and the AbilityOne Program, email redstonebsc@aidb.org or visit aib-aidb.com.