Goodwill gives back by pumping millions back into Northwest Florida

With thrifting becoming more and more trendy, many are turning to Goodwill for their shopping. 

“Thank god that we have a store like that in hardship situations that we can come in, spend money that is well spent on other things, and then we help a lot of people on the way. You know, for someone it may be trash but for other people is a treasure, right,” said Krystyna Bierowka, a frequent shopper.

Now, a new study by Florida TaxWatch shows just how much of an economic impact that’s having. According to the report, Goodwill Industries contributed more than 57 million dollars to the Northwest Florida economy in the last year. It also pointed out Goodwill’s programs that help put people to work, which include job coaching, online certifications, and training. 

Goodwill’s Chief Operating Officer says they save 35 million pounds annually from the landfill, and 90 cents of every dollar spent goes back into the community in some way. And that its career services have helped increase salaries for 13 thousand Floridians.

“We provide no-cost training, education, and placement of jobs for individuals who are facing barriers of all kinds. That’s about 13,000 people yearly that have increased their income and the ability to provide for themselves and their families, which is a huge economic boom for Northwest Florida,” said Kim Gay, Goodwill’s Chief Operating Officer.

The company’s goal is to increase the number of people using their career services next year as well.