Since 1902, Goodwill has focused on ending poverty and improving communities all around the United States and Canada. Here in eastern Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Utah, Easterseals Goodwill focuses on the same mission with stores in Idaho Falls and Rexburg. They believe everything they sell not only keeps it out of the landfill but also is a hand-up, not a hand-out.
“We use those donations that we receive from the community to facilitate some of those job skills and training,” said Shanna Endow, the director of communications for Goodwill in Idaho. “So those items are produced in our store. They're sorted. They're tagged and priced. And then they're sold, and then, those funds are able to go back into supporting our programs and services. So, it's a great model that we found a lot of success in from the very beginning from the founders. It was looked at as a hand-up, not a hand-out.”
Endow says they were able to keep seven million pounds of items out of the landfill and in exchange, they were able to convert those to jobs and opportunities for the future. They also help train people on how to organize things, become cashiers, set goals, teamwork and manage employees, among other skills. Endow says these skills build workforces for the betterment of the community in both ways.
Endow recalls a man who had a construction management job who lost his eyesight.
“And so, he needed to shift and look for another opportunity. And he found that at Goodwill,” Endow said. “So, he was able to come in and learn a whole new set of skills and has found so much success and support.”
Despite the rise of online retailers like Amazon, Goodwill is going strong. Volunteers, donations and sales are welcome at all times. You can shop, donate or volunteer at the Rexburg location nearby the Hobby Lobby at 125 Valley River Dr. and the Idaho Falls location at 540 East 17th St. You can also find your local store here.