Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA has been collecting more than donations of used goods since reopening the doors of its retail training stores on May 1.
 
“The global health crisis has impacted the incomes of so many, disrupting people’s ability to put food on the table,” said James Stiff, President of Goodwill of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. “Donors can drop off gently used items to help fund our education and employment services. And they can drop off donations of non-perishable food we will pass on to local food banks and emergency food pantries. We also continue to accept donations of personal protective equipment for distribution to frontline health care providers.”
 
Hundreds of pounds of food were donated through the Goodwill donor doors in the first week stores were reopened. Your local Goodwill often utilizes its expertise and processes to assist other community service organizations. The retail stores were closed for several weeks, but donation centers did not close. From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodwill has set aside dedicated donation bins to collect and disseminate PPE for frontline medical professionals.
 
With a non-contact donation process, donors can drive up to an attended donation center, drop off their donations in designated containers and receive a self-service receipt for tax purposes.
 
“It’s true we are all in this together,” noted Stiff. “Goodwill wants to be there to assist the communities we serve. With special unemployment benefits ending in July, now is the time to explore upskilling through Helms College and Goodwill job placement services available free to the unemployed. Our education and career services are going to be more critical than ever to the social and economic recovery from the pandemic.”