The Heart of Stark: Goodwill makes donating easier with expanded mobile center program
In partnership with The Repository, every Monday, Stark Community Foundation highlights positive happenings in our community. Here’s to Good News Mondays!
Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio recently expanded its pilot mobile donation center program from six units to 10, offering a convenient solution for individuals who would otherwise need to make multiple trips to a Goodwill store.
Through this program, Goodwill parks a 7-by-16 trailer at an individual's home or business for up to seven days at no cost. The trailer can be filled with clothing, furniture, electronics and other household goods, and later picked up by Goodwill for delivery to a local store.
More: Ripple effect of generosity: Material donations fuel Goodwill's mission programs
These trailers have become essential for community members during neighborhood sales, downsizing efforts and estate cleaning. Instead of making several trips to drop off items, they can utilize these trailers to streamline the donation process and free up valuable time.
Businesses have also embraced mobile donation centers, with many implementing employee donation drives to foster a sense of philanthropy within the workplace and support a worthy cause practically and efficiently.
“Goodwill offers 30 programs spanning from job training, emergency vouchers and adult literacy programs to rape crisis intervention and advocacy support, hot meals and family strengthening programs,” shared Goodwill Chief Operating Officer Mark Trew. “Material donations are the lifeblood of Goodwill as they are sold through our retail store social enterprise to fund these vital programs in our community. Last year, more than 17,000 local people were helped through Goodwill's programs, thanks to the generosity of donors.”
Since its launch in April 2023, the mobile donation center program has collected more than 92,000 pounds of donations.
Goodwill's team believes the widespread adoption of these trailers underscores their effectiveness in meeting the community's diverse donation needs, reflecting Goodwill's commitment to making the donation process accessible and fostering a culture of giving back.
With 10 trailer units now available, Goodwill can serve all 10 counties of its territory, including Stark, Tuscarawas, Carroll, Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Harrison and Jefferson counties in Ohio as well as Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia.
To reserve a mobile donation center, visit www.goodwillgoodskills.org. For questions, contact donations@goodwillgoodskills.org.
Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals. Learn more at www.starkcf.org.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: The Heart of Stark: Goodwill’s mobile donation center program expands
