Goodwill changes donation process during coronavirus pandemic

Cambria County, Pa. (WJAC) — Several Goodwill stores throughout the Southern Alleghenies have opened and are now accepting donations.

Brad Burger, President and CEO of Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies, says they are making changes to their donation process to ensure items are safe to sell.

Burger says all donation drop-offs are now contactless and can be done at donation bins around your area our outside stores. But he says to keep safe social distancing, employees cannot take the donations themselves and they’re asking people to not bring in large items.

“They are all contactless right now so we are asking folks to not bring large pieces of furniture that would take several people to unload because we’re just not in a position to accept that right now,” says Burger.

Donations won’t be sold right away once a Goodwill store receives them and all sales are final for the time being. Burger says depending on the item, they’ll stay isolated for several days to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We have changed our procedures of the time difference between when we would accept a donation and when it would be processed on the floor. Those are ranging from 3 to 5 days depending on what the item is. All fiber filled products are sprayed as per state requirements and that was actually a pre-COVID-19 requirement for all fiber filled products,” says Burger.

Goodwill stores that are now open also have some changes in place Burger says to protect customers and staff while shopping. Burger says all customers and staff must wear a mask inside the store, Plexiglass has been installed around registers and there’s a limit on the number of customers allowed inside.

Burger says they’re going by guidelines of allowing five customers per 1,000 square feet so stores like their location in Richland Township, which is around 10,000 square feet would allow about 50 people inside.

For now, Burger says open locations in the Southern Alleghenies will have limited hours Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 5 PM.

“As we continue to move forward, we may expand hours in the coming weeks depending on the customer traffic and demand,” said Burger

Southern Allegheny Goodwill locations that have reopened can be found here.

ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfnLywsNaio6Vlk52ur7PErGSdp56Wwaq7zWanq6eTmsC0ecOuqaKml2KwsL7Op5ivoaKqwG68wKebnqWZmA%3D%3D