Back-to-School with Purpose: How Shopping at Goodwill Transform Lives and Communities

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024

Students of all ages can visit Goodwill stores in Middle Georgia and the CSRA for their back-to-school needs. Goodwill offers a wide range of affordable items, from clothing and shoes to accessories, housewares, and furniture, making it your budget-friendly one-stop shop for back-to-school items, college dorm essentials, and unique secondhand finds. Online shopping is also an option at shopgoodwill.com.

There are 19 stores in Middle Georgia and the CSRA. Goodwill stores in this region sell donated goods and unique finds for shoppers to express their unique style while staying on a budget and supporting the environment.

Increasingly, younger generations are more concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases. Buying your annual school supplies secondhand at Goodwill continues the lifecycle of those items and keeps them from ending up in landfills. Goodwill stores also offer a cheaper alternative to other retail stores for those concerned about the rising prices of school supplies, all while promoting a sustainable future.

"Shopping at Goodwill not only saves you money but also combats the harmful effects of fast fashion, supporting a sustainable future," said Christine Butler, Vice President for Retail Operations at Goodwill of Middle Georgia. "By choosing secondhand, you're reducing waste, conserving resources, and making a positive impact on the environment, all while helping Goodwill provide educational support and job training for local residents."

While back-to-school shopping, Goodwill encourages people to donate clothing and other items they no longer need. Your donations can be treasures to another shopper, and last year, Goodwill received more than 488,266 donations right here in Middle GA. Through a business model of collecting and selling donated goods, Goodwill helps its local community reduce, reuse, and repurpose used items while funding job training programs for people in our community.

Donations and purchases support Goodwill’s mission. They provide individuals with economic opportunities through education, job training programs, and other support services, such as personalized career coaching and mentoring. Last year, Goodwill of Middle Georgia achieved the following:

  • Supported more than 10,200 people as they earned certificates and degrees, started new jobs, and advanced in their careers.
  • Helped place 3,750 people into competitive employment with the help of Goodwill Career Services.

  • Funded 24,717 hours of employee training.

  • Educated more than 270 people who earned certificates, credentials, and degrees in their chosen career fields.

  • Employed 225 employees with disabilities.

  • Provided $204.8 million in economic impact to Middle GA & the CSRA.

Remember, every back-to-school purchase at Goodwill supports our mission work and creates brighter futures for our community.

To find a store location near you, visit https://www.goodwillworks.org/shop/. Or shop online at shopgoodwill.com.