Originally Posted by
jeaninmaine
I volunteer at a homeless shelter that also gives away clothing and food, we never charge for anything. I don't see how Goodwill is helping anyone with the prices that they charge.
I agree that this thread has been hijacked...but I have to put my two cents in, nonetheless! My impression of the Goodwill we have here is that the retail portion subsidizes the community outreach: They offer an enormous array of job training courses at very low prices; they hire and train people who have had difficulty getting into, or staying in, the workforce; and they provide a conduit for recycling clothing that otherwise might end up dumped. I have not looked into their corporate structure (and might indeed be horrified if I did!) but the on-the-ground work I see them doing in my community satisfies me that they are helping people who otherwise might be in much worse shape. We have a few other thrift stores that appear to be entirely for profit, despite relying exclusively on donations...
And I love love love your selvage quilts,
yobrosew!! Beautiful!
Alison