Their mission is not to sell second hand goods to poor people. That is where you are confused. Their mission is to make as much money as possible off of those second hand goods in order to use that money for their so called job programs. Listen, I agree that I think they try to squeeze too much out of the donated goods they get. No argument there. I also agree that I think the numbers are a little skewed as to the monies they put forth for their "programs". Because they actually make money off of many of these programs too. Did you know that Goodwill of S.Fl. Goodwill’s Apparel Manufacturing Department produced over 6,000 military uniforms and flags daily for our country’s military during 2013 (which is actually a lot less than in previous years)? They used mainly handicapped employees paid them minimum wage (sometimes less) and then sold those goods for profit also. I'm sure they didn't donate those flags and uniforms. They also have a document shredding company where they employ the people they've trained and hired. Their main account being the IRS. Now they've opened a multi-million dollar laundering facility in Liberty City to provide a laundry and linen service for the area's hospitals. Hire some people from the ghetto (preferably handicapped), pay them minimum wage and BAM! mo money, mo money, mo money! I thought this was a not for profit? Yet everything they do ends up as a Goodwill business that makes more money. Kind of like having your cake and eating it too.
BTW- Each region of Goodwill has an annual report available to read online. How much of it is true and how much of it is hype is somewhere in the middle as far as i'm concerned. You should search for your area. Here is the last annual report for the Goodwill's in S.Fl.-
http://cdn.trustedpartner.com/docs/...news/Goodwill_2013_Annual_Report_ZGBWFFUE.pdf
Also, the only reason I donate to Goodwill is because it's the closest thrift to my house to get rid of my yard sale junk and Salvation Army isn't open on Sundays.
