By Ali LaFay
alafay@eagletribune.com
Everyone knows that new clothes are a back-to-school staple, and that hasn't changed despite the sluggish economy.
Fortunately for families on a tight budget, Goodwill Industries is teaming up with Family Circle magazine for the first-ever Back-to-School Clothing Drive to collect 5 million pounds of donated clothes for those who need them.
"Back-to-school shopping can be really expensive," said Michelle Smith, communications coordinator for Goodwill Industries of Northern New England. "Our goal in doing this is to create momentum for donating clothes and provide people with a less expensive option."
For Ronda Gibeau of Auburn, the new program is a great way to find back-to-school clothing deals for her two daughters.
"They have clothes that are new and high quality," said Gibeau, who was shopping Tuesday at the Goodwill store at the Apple Tree Mall in Londonderry. "More donations will just mean they'll have more of a selection."
Gibeau's 11-year-old daughter, Olivia, said she plans on shopping at Goodwill for part of her back-to-school wardrobe.
"I like the skirts and dresses and the Abercrombie stuff," she said.
The nationwide program kicked off Saturday and runs until Sept. 30. All six of New Hampshire's Goodwill stores are participating.
The New Hampshire stores see an average of 4,000 donors per week, Smith said.
The Londonderry store hasn't seen a large increase in donations yet, but assistant manager Cindy Walker said she expects the program to take off soon.
"Probably this weekend will be really heavy with donations," she said.
In addition to encouraging donations, revenue from the program will help fund Goodwill's job training programs, which provide education, job training and support services to people with disabilities.
"It's just good all-around," Smith said of the program.
