Is Goodwill’s purpose to provide low-priced clothing options, and am I depriving others with less monetary blessing than myself by shopping there?
(This is a topic inspired by a spirited discussion on Meredith’s blog, sparked by some strong ideas expressed in an article and ensuing comments about Frugality at Challies.com)
Normally, I steer this blog away from potentially controversial subjects. It’s just not what I like to write about. But this is a question I have asked myself and feel has a strong answer, so I want to post some of my thoughts as to why I believe the answer is an emphatic
No.
I just educated my husband about this, and I imagine a lot of other people don’t realize it either: Goodwill’s primary goal is not to provide affordable clothing. Goodwill has a great website that lays it out clearly under “What We Do.”
Goodwill Industries is all about people working.
We are one of the world’s largest nonprofit providers of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Last year, local Goodwills collectively provided employment and training services to more than 846,000 individuals…
Goodwill provides employment opportunities through its stores and job training, as well as other services. How does it provide these services? Through funds resulting from sales of donated items in its stores.
Exhibit #2: “How We Operate” on Goodwill’s site:
When you donate and shop at Goodwill, you help us fulfill our mission.
“You” being anyone reading this on the internet.
Exhibit #3: From the FAQ’s on Goodwill’s site:
If I shop at a Goodwill store, will I be depriving disadvantaged people of stuff they need?
No. Goodwill serves disadvantaged people by educating, training and placing them into jobs. By becoming gainfully employed, these individuals gain resources to buy the things they need. Many disadvantaged people who are in training or are employed by Goodwill Industries are offered vouchers or discounts at Goodwill retail stores.
I’ve never discussed this issue with a Goodwill employee, but I imagine those in charge of overseeing Goodwill operations fight this “only for the needy” perception every day.
From personal experience:
-The local Goodwill encourages my business by mailing me a “$5 off $25 purchase” coupon for my birthday.
-It also recently opened a “boutique” named Second Debut in Carytown, where it focuses on selling higher end, brand names at commensurately higher prices.
In my opinion, prices at my local Goodwill (in suburbia) aren’t even *that* cheap - $3-$5 for regularly priced tops, etc. I don’t think those are altruistic prices aimed at clothing the disadvantaged; I think that’s what the middle-class market will bear for second-hand clothes in varying condition.
Folks, Goodwill is trying to make money off of the items it sells. In fact, it depends on as many people as possible shopping to stay in operation and be successful in its employment assistance mission. If I stop shopping thrift, along with everyone else who can “afford” to shop elsewhere, Goodwill will be in trouble.
It’s the same story with most other thrift stores around here - Each store has a cause it supports (Vietnam veterans, a hospital, a ministry, etc.) through income generated from selling donated items. They want any customers who will buy the merchandise.
If a store doesn’t want my patronage because it is dedicated to serving only the disadvantaged, I have to hope they would make that purpose clear and I would never intentionally disrespect that or take advantage of it.
A little off topic - Knowing that there’s usually a mission outside the store, as a Christian I do believe it’s important to investigate the operations and objectives of your local thrift stores. By shopping there, you are supporting whatever effort each chooses to further. There is one resale store in Richmond that I deliberately do not patronize because proceeds are donated to a cause which I believe is wrong, and I can’t in good conscience buy items which directly and publicly support it. On the other hand, Goodwill isn’t a Christian ministry, but I don’t have any objections to the goal of helping people become employed; I think that’s great.
So it’s pretty clear Goodwill wants me to shop there, what about the other objection that I’m buying an article of clothing that might be bought by someone more needy if I left it? (along the lines of the “gleaning” principle raised at Challies.com)
First of all, I think it’s wonderful that thrift stores exist as a resource for those who simply don’t have the money for other options. It’s a very positive secondary benefit of Goodwill’s business plan.
If I observed that there truly was a shortage of clothing available in thrift stores, I would prayerfully consider whether I should allocate more of my budget towards purchasing clothes from higher-priced establishments.
However, where I live there is no lack of thrift stores and no shortage of stock in any of them. For anyone who wants or needs to buy affordable clothes, Richmond offers lots of options. I truly do not believe I am “taking the clothes off someone’s back” by buying a thrift store garment. The item I buy makes room for another garment on the rack. I also donate used clothes to the same thrift stores where I shop. (I have to say it’s a weird feeling to see a piece of clothing on a rack that used to be yours.)
And it seems very unlikely to me that thrift store shoppers will outpace donations to thrift stores in the near future. In fact, I wish more people would shop thrift who didn’t “need” to. From what I read, the economic reality is that we’re a nation that can’t spend our money fast enough. The malls are full of shoppers itching to buy fancy, stylish new clothes. New clothes that probably end up being donated to Goodwill in a year or two. Many of these people can somehow stretch and “afford” to make these choices, but might be better served economizing a little bit, shopping smarter, and making the occasional second-hand purchase.
Of course, new OR used, try to buy judiciously according to your needs. But by all means, shop at thrift stores!
Sometime later this week, I’ll try to post reasons TO shop at Goodwill.
(Please feel free to add thoughts and comments, but I’d like to avoid a full-scale debate)
How much would you pay for second-hand Old Navy flip flops? Hopefully 
