Goodwill Sale at Department Stores Helps Put People to Work

MILWAUKEE, WI -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Five department store nameplates -- Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Herberger's and Younkers -- are partnering with Goodwill Industries for the stores' semi-annual Goodwill Sale. From March 16 to 27, customers who donate clean, gently-used clothing and home textiles at participating locations will receive coupons toward the purchase of new merchandise. One coupon is given per item donated, and all donations support local Goodwill Industries job training and career services.

Customers can drop off donations at any of the department stores, or at participating Goodwill stores and donation centers. The donated items will be sold in Goodwill retail stores, and revenues will help fund career services for people with disabilities, welfare recipients and other job seekers.

The popular retail trade-in promotion is in its 12th year as a successful collaboration between the organizations. In 2005 alone, the semi-annual event generated nearly 5 million pounds of donated merchandise. With those donations, Goodwill earned roughly $4 million in revenues that were used to provide career services to people who are unemployed.