Bon-Ton Stores, Goodwill: A commitment to our communities

Contact:
Christine Hojnacki
Vice President of Public Relations
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
Phone: (414) 347-5329
christine.hojnacki@bonton.com

Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Senior Director, Public Relations
Goodwill Industries International
Phone: (240) 333-5266
Lauren.Lawson@goodwill.org


Semi-Annual Partnership Provides Job Support Services, Delivers Great Savings to Shoppers

Milwaukee, WI – This September, shoppers at The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.’s 260 retail locations in 24 states will be able to shop locally, donate locally and change lives in their communities through the fall 2017 Goodwill Sale.

Now in its 23rd year, the semi-annual Goodwill Sale runs from Wednesday, September 13 through Saturday, September 30 at Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s, and Younkers stores.

Considering the average woman reports never wearing 20 percent of her wardrobe at all, the Goodwill Sale is a great opportunity to donate unused items and earn savings on new fall fashions. During the sale event, customers drop off items for donation at their local department store in exchange for coupons good for up to 30 percent off the purchase of apparel, shoes, accessories and other items as well as up to 15 percent off cosmetics and fragrances. Coupons can be used in-store and online. The community is encouraged to get involved by donating items such as ladies, kids and men’s clothing, accessories, shoes, luggage and household textiles, which will be sold in Goodwill stores to create jobs, training programs and education assistance for people who are unemployed or underemployed.

“We pride ourselves on being a hometown shopping destination and supporting Goodwill through this sale is both a natural extension of that commitment as well as a critically important component of it,” said William Tracy, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “Along with our customers, we’re able to see the direct positive impact this partnership brings to the communities we serve.”

In 2016, Bon-Ton customers donated 4.1 million pounds of clothing, textiles and household items, enough to fill 51 semi trucks. These contributions generated roughly 588,714 hours of job placement, job training, skills enrichment and other community-based services, such as financial education and mentoring, for people in local communities. This translates to Goodwill helping a person find a job every 23 seconds of every business day – in a single work week more than 7,000 people were placed in good jobs.

“The Goodwill Sale is a testament to our shared vision as brands who believe in bigger savings and greater good,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “It is truly inspiring to witness the support we get each spring and fall from our partners at Bon-Ton and their customers.”

Job training and services provided by Goodwill support people with disadvantages and disabilities, veterans and military families, older workers, youth and young adults, and anyone facing a difficult time finding a job. The Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale is Goodwill’s largest and longest-standing cause partnership and department store donation drive.

“Savvy, community-minded shoppers love this signature event,” said Tracy. “September is a great time to transition wardrobes for the fall season, so this sale offers a perfect opportunity to support Goodwill’s mission while finding great deals on new fashions and trends.”

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 260 stores, which includes 9 furniture galleries and four clearance centers, in 24 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates. The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is an active and positive participant in the communities it serves. For further information, please visit thebontonstoresinc.com or the company’s web site at bonton.com. Join the conversation and be inspired by following Bon-Ton on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 162 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization’s highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by Enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world for two consecutive years, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes’ 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,200 stores collectively and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill organizations also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food services preparation, and document imaging and shredding. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 313,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than 2 million people received in person services. To learn more, visit goodwill.org. For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at Goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl or Instagram: GoodwillIntl.