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News Release

Goodwill

UPDATE: Stores will be reopening May 16, 2020.

As always, Goodwill of the Great Plains is committed to the health and safety of our donors, shoppers, employees and program participants. These are unprecedented times; a time of great uncertainty for all of us and a new situation for local Goodwill organizations across the United States and Canada as well.

At this time, it has become necessary to announce that:

Out of an abundance of caution and keeping in mind Goodwill’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our employees, donors, shoppers, program participants and community, we are voluntarily closing our retail stores and job centers temporarily, effective March 26th at 7 pm, and plan to reopen on April 27th.  If COVID-19 conditions improve before then, we will open sooner.   We will continue to monitor the situation and seek guidance from local health departments on an ongoing basis and update the community on any revisions to this timeline.

We regret that Goodwill’s closures will further impact the lives of people who are already feeling concerned for their health, finances and well-being. This has been a difficult decision, but we are doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our team members during this unprecedented time.

We are all in this together. At a safe and appropriate time, we will resume our normal activities and work together to rebuild stronger, more resilient communities. We’ll share more information on when we will resume operations on our website www.goodwillgreatplains.org  and social media channels. We ask for your understanding and patience. Stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

John Hantla
CEO
Goodwill of the Great Plains

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your continued support of your local Goodwill.

We are aware of the global situation concerning the Coronavirus, we are taking additional cleaning action to ensure you have a positive shopping experience year-round.

Your health and safety is our top priority.

  • Goodwill of the Great Plains is committed to the health and safety of our donors, customers, and program participants.
  • We are closely monitoring recommendations from health officials to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Employees are staying home if they are sick. We take the health and safety seriously and we care about reducing the spread of illness.
  • We continue to follow hygiene precautions, such as regular hand washing for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol and covering our noses and mouths when coughing and sneezing. These are health guidelines that we follow every day.
  • Donors and shoppers can and should continue to donate to and shop at Goodwill stores, which fund Goodwill’s employment and training programs to help people find jobs.
  • Goodwill will work with local health authorities to reduce the spread of potential illness, if needed. Store hours have been changed to Monday-Saturday from 11am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Any additional updates will be posted on our website and/or our Facebook page.

Shane’s Kindhearted Spirit for Helping Others Shines at Goodwill

This picture demonstrates the change that happened for Shane from the beginning of the Work Adjustment Program until the end.

Sometimes in our life, there are moments causing us to pause and reflect on what’s next. Shane was struggling to figure out what work he was interested in when he came to Goodwill’s Work Adjustment Training Program. (The Work Adjustment Program is a 6-week program for individuals over 18 years of age teaching soft skill development and employment readiness. The program serves individuals with brain injury, physical injury, cognitive disabilities, and health challenges.)

Shane was mentored by Jill (Program Manager) who helped him throughout the program with his confidence. Self-confidence is an essential skill needed for any job. The Work Adjustment Program helps individuals learn skills such as self-confidence, communication, and being a team player through on-the-job experience.

During his training, he was able to help with the Shoe and Mitten Party, an event sponsored by Goodwill that ensures each child received new shoes, hat, gloves, and socks. This event touched Shane’s heart and fueled his desire to help improve the lives of others.

A boost of confidence happened for Shane in January when he had the opportunity to work in the Job Center.  Shane genuinely enjoyed helping people update resumes and apply to jobs. Jill explained, “Shane loved having the opportunity to help others as they were seeking employment in the Job Center. He approached it with a compassionate spirit. His confidence level definitely improved after his experience in the Job Center because he improved upon his clerical and customer service skills.”

The last week of Shane’s training, Stan, Rapid City Manager offered Shane a position in the store. Shane was excited to accept the offer and is currently working as a Retail Associate.

Reflecting on his experience Shane replies, “The Work Adjustment Training Program helped me gain confidence and assurance in myself. It gave me a purpose. I want to continue helping customers and program participants. I am looking forward to settling down, finding a home and enjoying my life”

Eating Healthier and Reducing Waste on Pack Your Lunch Day 2020 with Goodwill

Do you tend to splurge and eat out for lunch every day? Fast food and takeout purchases can add up over time and before you know can leave a large dent in your wallet. Start a healthy, money-saving habit by bringing your lunch on Pack Your Lunch Day on March 10th. Don’t know where to start? Continue reading for helpful tips for you to save money and eat healthier.

1) Invest in quality food storage- Igloos and Thermos are excellent ways to keep your food fresh and organized. Pyrex and Tupperware containers are essentials you should have on hand and can use every day to store your food in. At Goodwill, we have lunch coolers, thermos, and storage containers to keep your food fresh until lunch. Choose to use reusable food storage and lessen the waste of plastic and brown bags.

2) Meal plan- It’s hard enough to get up in the morning and have energy to prep for lunch. Start the night before and use leftovers from dinner or make food ahead of time for you to grab and go in the morning. Meal planning helps your waistline and budget. At the end of the week think about all the money you are saving because you are not wasting food. (Photo by Vegan Liftz)

3) Bring a Reusable Water Bottle- Water is an essential for keeping a healthy lifestyle. Drinking sugary or energy drinks can make you feel full sooner and are loaded with calories. Drinking water will help you eat healthier.  Buying a reusable water bottle from Goodwill will help to reduce plastic waste and live a healthy life.

Deb’s Milestone Achievement


Congratulations to Debra graduating from register training!  Debra was anxious about operating a cash register at first. Christine, Skills Trainer, helped Debra learn coping skills to ease her anxiety. After a few weeks, Debra became more comfortable and learned excellent customer service skills. “She has come out of her shell and built important relationships”, Christine commented about Debra’s progress. Debra works in the Sioux City retail store and continues working hard on her goal of obtaining a community job.