The Bon-Ton makes hefty donation to Goodwill

The 2014 spring Goodwill Sale, a cause-marketing partnership between The Bon-Ton Stores and Goodwill Industries International, collected more than 2.5 million pounds of clothing and textiles to benefit Goodwill's job training and employment services.



The donations to Goodwill have an estimated value of $10 million in revenue that will be used to fund local programs to help people find jobs and build their careers. In addition, the Bon-Ton Stores raised $482,000 in cash donations to benefit Goodwill's mission through an offer in which shoppers could donate at the register to receive additional coupons. The combined positive impact of donations of goods and cash will provide approximately 344,000 hours of job training services in the communities where they were collected.



During the spring Goodwill Sale, which took place from March 13 to 30, people brought their Goodwill donations to The Bon-Ton Stores' 271 Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers store locations. For each item donated, shoppers received discount coupons of up to 25% off new spring fashions and accessories — a strategy which not only drives shopper traffic to stores but also encourages shoppers to return.

Donations will be sold at Goodwill stores, and revenues earned will fund community services such as financial education, computer classes, and mentoring and career development programs that help people find jobs in industries such as construction, health care, financial services and retail.



"The Bon-Ton family of stores has made a commitment to strengthen our communities and this program exemplifies that mission" said Brendan Hoffman, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores. "We are appreciative of the many customers who continually donate goods during our Goodwill Sale and help people in their communities."



"Many people in our communities are still struggling to find jobs, and donations from the spring Goodwill Sale will have a direct impact in helping them re-enter the workforce," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Goodwill is grateful for the generosity of Bon-Ton's shoppers and donors, who demonstrated their commitment to helping their communities with the simple act of cleaning out their closets and donating to Goodwill during the spring event."



Goodwill provides job training and community services to people with disabilities, those who lack education or work experience and others who face challenges to finding employment. For 20 years, Goodwill and The Bon-Ton Stores have partnered to collect donations to support Goodwill's employment programs. The sale is the largest and longest-standing department store donation drive with Goodwill. The collaboration has generated an estimated potential value of more than $233 million in revenue to support Goodwill's services and programs in local communities.