Story by Jamie Berry
MIDDLE TENNESSEE – Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee will extend the hours of 12 donation sites including 10 here in Middle Tennessee.
January 2014 turned out to be the coldest month in more than a decade. When the weather turns cold, donations tend to drop. “We saw a significant decrease in donations last month,” said Karl Houston, senior director of donations. “By extending our hours, we are hoping more people will have an opportunity to donate.”
Goodwill relies heavily on donations to fulfill its mission of providing employment and training opportunities to people who have trouble finding and keeping jobs. Last year, Goodwill assisted 17,498 people in their search for work. Of those, 5,615 found a job. Houston said, “It’s because of our generous donors and shoppers that we are able to help so many people find work.”
Store sales were also down in January. “Fewer people came out to shop because of the frigid temperatures last month,” said David Jenkins, senior director of retail. “This is good news for shoppers looking for great finds.”
Donors can make an immediate impact by shopping in the stores, or by donating the following items: clothing, household goods, shoes and accessories.
Ninety-eight percent of Goodwill’s revenue comes from the sale of donated items. Donate today and change a life.
10 donation sites in Middle Tennessee extending its hours to 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., including the site at 215 Lowes Drive in Clarksville.