From Keep ME Current (originally published November 24, 2010)
At quick glance, you might think you’ve seen it before.
A blue world revolves at center. Orbiting it is one long, straight arrow that changes course to the right at the last moment, and another that sweeps around in a semicircular arc – together loosely forming a “D.”
Part of a new awareness campaign launched by Goodwill Industries, its symbolism is simple: Donate used items, rather than throwing them away.
It’s reminiscent of the well-known, three-arrows-in-a-constant-loop “recycle” icon, and the hope is it will become just as ubiquitous.
“People feel good about donating, because they know in the end it’s helping someone,” said Michelle Smith, communications manager for Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, headquartered in Portland and representing Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. “It’s a simple way people can give back.”
The nonprofit Goodwill is nearly 110 years old – the Rev. Edgar Helms started the movement in Boston in 1902 – and there are few times in that century-plus time span that it’s been more relevant.
Case in point: This spring, the Northern New England Goodwill opened its largest-ever store, a 27,000-square-foot flagship in South Portland. Housed in a former Circuit City building, it’s bright, spread out, and feels very much like any traditional retail operation, Smith noted.
All told, the northern New England chapter runs 25 stores across its triad of states – 17 of those here in Maine – with 1,489 total employees, 775 in Maine.
“In 2010, people are a lot more open to buying second-hand,” said Smith. “Ten or 20 years ago, there was a social stigma to buying second-hand. We will see now, and in the future, thrift stores becoming more like any other store.”
The reasons aren’t surprising: Most notably the economy, and the growing awareness of sustainability.
Plus, with financial donations not always in today’s budget, people simply get a good feeling knowing that their money, whether through a resold bag of gifted clothes or a book purchased with pocket change, is going toward a good cause. All generated dollars support the nonprofit’s panoply of local human service programs, including, locally, career centers, several disabled group homes, and “GoodGuides,” a youth mentoring initiative. The latter specifically sees many baby boomer volunteers, Smith said. Hundreds of other active volunteers also help throughout the organization.
Back at the stores, meanwhile, once the recession started, regular customers started coming in a little more regularly, and donators who usually just dropped off and left began coming in and browsing.
And while boomers have always been abundant shoppers, younger people are becoming more plentiful, making for a diverse range.
“Budgets are tight, you can get a lot for your dollar,” said Smith.
Meanwhile, others are repurposing items through craft projects.
“People try to be a little more green by buying secondhand,” she said. “It’s better for the environment.”
The same goes for donating. As Goodwill is stressing with its new “D” icon through a partnership with Levi Strauss & Co., “you don’t have to throw things away, you can donate them,” Smith urged.
All told, donations have been “steady,” she said, and the introduction of donation drive-throughs in newer locations have contributed to an uptick.
Still, things often tend to slow down in the winter months. “We always need more,” she said; specifically, gently-used clothing and “hard goods,” or dishes, pots and pans, books, small furniture and knickknacks. Goodwill recycles 100 percent of textiles, making some into wiping cloths that are sold in small batches for consumers or larger industrial rolls for companies. Last year, the nonprofit also partnered with Dell for a computer recycling program.
Ultimately, whether they’re donating, shopping, or volunteering, “people feel good that they’re helping a nonprofit that invests locally, and helps local people,” Smith said.
