In times when the world is being hit hard, can we still help those who may be in greater need than us?
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida is asking the community to withhold any donations at this time as its 29 stores and 22 Donation Xpress locations are temporarily closed due to the virus. This announcement comes due to limited hours and staffing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Goodwill is asking to refrain from leaving donations outside of the closed buildings as the items could be damaged by the weather. Donations will continue to be accepted once Goodwill stores return to normal hours of operation.
“Donations are a foundational component of our mission to build lives that work,” stated Kim Praniewicz, senior director of marketing and communications of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. “We are incredibly grateful to donors who are still thinking of us at this challenging time – especially because their donations will be needed more than ever as we continue our mission of creating jobs in our local community. Most importantly, we ask that donors not leave items unattended outside our temporarily closed retail stores as they may be damaged by the elements.”
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has also moved its Job Connection Center online to remain committed to serving the community with job training and placement. Those seeking jobs in Orange and Osceola counties, plus a few others, will continue to have access to the Job Connection Center services that they had in-person, which are now online.
“COVID-19 disproportionately impacts those with limited resources and options, making our job training and placement services more necessary than ever,” explained Praniewicz. “For more than 60 years, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has been breaking down barriers to help people find meaningful employment, and that’s what we will continue to do.”
The GoodSource Staffing Services of Goodwill are also collaborating with local companies to place Central Florida residents in temp jobs.
“With these resources now digital, career help is more accessible than ever,” added Praniewicz. “And for those who are in a position to donate financially, your financial gifts are more important than ever because they will allow us to continue to offer these vital job training and employment services.”
Contact jobconnection@goodwillcfl.org or call (407) 235-1541 to connect with employment specialists at the Job Connection Center. Employers who are hiring and are looking for more information about job placement through GoodSource, call (407) 745-5549. Job seekers may call (407) 235-1501. To donate and support Goodwill’s job training and placement resources, visit goodwillcfl.org/donate, or shop at GoodFindsCFL.com or ShopGoodwill.com/Orlando.
Photos Courtesy of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
